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Patricia toiled all afternoon with the ardor of 

IGNORANCE AND HOPE. 


MISS PAT AT 
SCHOOL 



BY 

PEMBERTON GINTHER 


FRONTISPIECE BY 
THE AUTHOR 


PHILADELPHIA 

THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


Copyright, 1915, by 
Ton John C. Winston Comfant. 



©JU‘120564 

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To Nancy 


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CONTENTS 

CBAPTEB PAOS 

I. The Two New Students 9 

11. Getting Acquainted 22 

III. Anticipation 46 

IV. The Initiations 66 

V. The Ghost Dance 80 

VI. Aftermath 94 

VII. David^s Treat Ill 

VIII. Smooth Waters 134 

IX. The Academy Ball 156 

X. The Prize Designs 177 

XI. The Little Rift 198 

XII. JuDiTH^s Discovery 213 

XIII. Restitution 228 

XIV. New Quarters and Old Friends... 248 

XV. Afternoon Tea 266 

XVI. April Showers 284 

XVII. Farewell to the Studio 304 


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Miss Pat at School 


CHAPTER I 

THE TWO NEW STUDENTS 

it jolly — to be here in a real 
I Academy of Fine Arts, just like all 
^ the famous artists when they were 
young and unknown? Doesn^t it make 
you feel all excited and quivery, Nom?’’ 
asked Patricia, as she fitted her key into 
the narrow gray locker with an air of huge 
enjoyment. don^t see how you can 
look so cool. You are as calm and refrig- 
erated as a piece of the North Pole.’’ 

Elinor smiled and her shining eyes trav- 
eled down the wide dim corridor with its 
rows of battered gray lockers, past the con- 
fusion of chairs and easels that clustered 
around the big screen of the composition 
room, straight into the farthest nook of 
the great bare work rooms beyond, where 
( 9 ) 


10 


Miss Pat at School 


an array of heroic-sized white casts loomed 
conspicuous in the cold north light above 
the clutter of easels, stools and drawing- 
boards that encompassed the silent, in- 
tent workers. 

^^I^m not half so calm as I look, Miss 
Pat,^^ she said, seriously. “I^m more 
excited than I ever was in my life. It^s 
too deep to come to the surface, I guess. 
I haven^t any words for it.^’ 

Patricia nodded approval. 

“That’s your ^sensitive, artistic tempera- 
ment,’ as Mrs. Hand calls it. It must be 
awfully trying, though, not to be able to 
babble when you’re pleased. It’s such a 
relief to get it out of your system. I’d 
simply burst if I tried to keep quiet when 
I felt excited.” 

Elinor smiled absently, and then burst 
out fervently, “Isn’t it all gloriously work- 
manlike — the bare walls and smudged doors 
and the painty* smell, too? It’s so serious. 
Outside, the people regard a picture as a 
mere luxury, but in here, herej^^ she said, 
exultantly, “it is absolutely the necessary 
thing in life.” 


The Two New Students 


11 


Patricia shut her door with a snap and 
turned to her sister with a glowing face, 
sweeping her stray tendrils back with an 
eager gesture. 

know it!^’ she cried. “It makes 
even me feel as though I could turn off 
masterpieces instanter. Merely to look at 
those lumps of clay in the modeling room 
made me simply dche to get my hands 
into them. I was enchanted the moment 
I came in here with you this morning, 
never dreaming that I should be so lucky 
as to be one of the illustrious band myself. 
You^re a perfect duck, Nom, to let me tag 
along after you here.’^ 

“You might as weU do that as anything 
else,’’ said Elinor, rather absently. “The 
best of it is that we shall be together. 
It wiU be such fun to see how we each 
get along.” 

“ ^We!’ ” echoed Patricia. “You mean 
how you get along. I shan’t count at all. 
I may have to give up when I actually 
get at it.” Then with a swift change of 
spirit she added: “All the same, if I 
couldn’t do better than some of those 


12 


Miss Pat at School 


smudgy celebrities in the modeling room 
were doing, I^d feel pretty sorry for myself. 
Such forlorn, lop-sided caricatures of hu- 
man beings I never saw. I don^t see how 
they can do them.^^ 

Elinor^s soft laugh rippled out. ^^It^s 
clear that you haven^t tried to do it, or 
you^d see how easy it is to make carica- 
tures instead of portraits,” she said. 
didn^t think they were so very bad.” 

“I^d be ashamed to have anyone see 
them if I^d done them,” declared Patricia, 
unconvinced. ^^They seemed quite cocky 
over them, poor idiots. I hope some of 
them do better than that, or I shan^t learn 
much.” 

^^It would be wonderful if you did make 
a success of it,” said Elinor, beginning to 
put her newly acquired implements into 
her locker. ^^How surprised Bruce will 
be that you are studying here, too.” 

^^Don^t tell him, for the world!” cried 
Patricia, her brow wrinkling at the thought 
of that noted artistes surprise. I shouldn't 
have dared to take the course if he was 
ever to see anything I did! I^m only 


The Two New Students 


13 


going into it for fun, and I shouldn't have 
dreamed of doing it if it hadn^t been the 
cheapest course in the whole school. You 
know I shouldn’t have, Elinor dear, so 
please don’t tell.” 

Elinor gave her a reassuring squeeze. 

Don’t be afraid. Miss Pat. I won’t 
give away your dark secrets to anyone 
till you want me to. You’ll tell David, 
won’t you?” 

Patricia pondered a moment. don’t 
believe I’ll tell anyone until I see what 
I can do,” she decided. ^^I’d love to 
surprise Francis Edward David Carson 
Kendall, otherwise known as Frad, but 
I’U wait till I know whether it is to be 
the sort of surprise he’d welcome before 
I spring it on him. He wouldn’t appre- 
ciate a hideous fizzle, like some of those 
we saw, and I’d hate to inflict a newly 
discovered twin brother with anything of 
that sort myself.” 

don’t believe Fra — David would be 
very critical; he’s so good natured,” said 
Elinor. ^Hsn’t it hard to get used to him 
as our brother, after knowing him as David 


14 


Miss Pat at School 


Carson for a whole summer? I can^t ever 
feel sure of what is his right name now. 
We knew him as David Carson for so 
long, and now that he wants to be called 
by his real name, I simply get more twisted 
all the time.^^ 

“That^s why I call him Frad,’^ said 
Patricia, with a twinkle. Combines the 
whole and is entirely original, and so suited 
to his situation. I don’t think he ought 
to drop all the Carson name, particularly 
while we’re all living comfortably on the 
Carson money. It seems sort of ungrate- 
ful to me.” 

^^But you know Mrs. Carson always 
wanted him to take his own name if he 
ever found it,” said EUnor, closing her 
locker and dropping the key into her 
bag. 

“Well, he’s dear with any name, and I’m 
glad Judy discovered him when she did, 
money or no money,” said Patricia se- 
riously. “He was so disappointed when 
Madam Blitz said my voice needed another 
year to grow in, that I’m awfully glad 
I’ve hit on something to do that will fill 


The Two New Students 


15 


in the time, and keep me learning, That^s 
really the great thing, isn’t it, after all?” 

As she spoke a gong sounded from 
beyond the closed door of a nearby class 
room; there was sound of movement and 
subdued voices, then the door swung grudg- 
ingly and a number of students of various 
ages with smudged hands and soiled aprons 
came straggling out into the dim corridor, 
laden with canvases and drawings to be 
stowed in the long line of lockers that 
stretched on either side of the hallway. 

Elinor looked at them with a little quick 
sigh of excited envy. 

^^They are all so used to it,” she said, 
with a note of humility in her sweet voice. 
^^They make me feel so green!” 

^^Poof ! You needn’t care,” said Patricia, 
breezily. ^Tf Bruce Haydon says you can 
draw, you shouldn’t mind a lot of sloppy 
students. Wait till you’ve been here a 
month — you’ll be rearing your crest as high 
as any.” 

Elinor shook her head. ^^To tell the 
truth. Miss Pat dear, I almost wish Bruce 
hadn’t gotten me into the life and portrait 


16 


Miss Pat at School 


classes without the regular term in the 
antique rooms. I shouldn't feel half so 
shivery about going in there and drawing 
from those big casts, for I know they are all 
more or less beginners there.’^ 

^ ^ Stuff !” protested Patricia stoutly. 
^^You know youVe been simply crazy to 
get here. Why spoil it all by squibbling? 
I think iPs perfectly gorgeous I^m wild 
to begin myself, and I^m about as green as 
any old shamrock. Besides, iPs a mighty 
poor way to show your gratitude to Bruce 
for putting you right slap into the highest 
classes without slaving your hfe out for 
years, perhaps. Vll tell him 

^ ^Indeed, you’ll do no such thing!” cried 
Elinor, the color rushing to her cheeks and 
her authority as eldest sister asserting itself 
promptly. “I don’t intend that Bruce 
shall hear a word until I’ve had my first 
good criticism.” 

Patricia smiled to herself at the effect 
of her ruse. ^^All right. I’ll be good,” 
she promised. ^^Now, to come down to 
earth again — where are we going to feed? 
I wish we could find the lunch room. It 


The Two New Students 


17 


would be such fun to look our future class- 
mates over while we browse/^ 

think it^s in the basement,” said 
Elinor dubiously, “but I don’t believe we 
can buy things there. We’d have to go 
out, anyway, I’m afraid.” 

A blue-aproned girl who had been packing 
her materials in an adjoining locker turned 
civilly. 

“Are you speaking about the lunch 
room?” she asked in a pleasant contralto 
voice. “I can show you where it is, but 
you’ll have to bring your lunch with you. 
There are gas stoves to cook on in the back 
room, and tables and chairs in the front 
one, if you’re not too late to get a place.” 

Elinor thanked her cordially, while 
Patricia almost dislocated her neck trying 
to get a ghmpse of the big canvas that 
protruded from the locker while still keep- 
ing far enough behind Elinor for her 
curiosity to pass unnoticed. 

“It is down a little iron stairway behind 
that screen,” said the girl, tucking a paper 
parcel into the capacious pocket of her 
blue jean paint dress, ^^and it’s only for 


18 


Miss Pat at School 


girls. The men have one on the other 
side of the building. Come down as soon 
as you can, for it’s fearfully crowded later 
on.” 

Patricia watched her disappear behind 
the big screen of the composition room, and 
then she turned excitedly to Ehnor. 

^Tsn’t she nice?” she asked admiringly. 

She’s so cock-sure of herself and so calm 
about it. I like the way her eyebrows meet 
over her haughty nose, and that superior 
kink in her nice, crinkly lips. I know 
she’s going to be worth while when we 
know her.” 

^Tor goodness’ sake, don’t be jumping 
into admirations wholesale. Miss Pat, darl- 
ing,” said Elinor, gently pulling Patricia’s 
arm through hers as they passed into 
the narrow entrance to the dressing room. 
‘^Don’t rush at it so, ducky. You can’t 
know the right people at once, and it saves 
a lot of bother not to get too familiar with 
the vTong ones.” 

Just as you say. Miss Solomon,” rippled 
Patricia, too happy to be depressed by 
anything. be as frigid as you like. 


The Two New Students 


19 


and if any of these frivolous young things 
try to scrape an acquaintance with me, 1^11 
snub them good and hard/’ 

She lowered her voice as two newcomers 
entered — one a slender, faded young woman 
with near-sighted pale eyes, and the other a 
blond girl with a dazzling skin and glorious 
shimmering hair wound around a shapely 
head. Both were in aprons, but the 
younger wore a dull green that set off her 
fair beauty to perfection, while the checked 
gingham of the other proclaimed a hope- 
lessly downright taste. 

Patricia, at the mirror, paused in the 
act of pinning on her hat, her eyes riveted 
on the vision in dull green. 

^^Isn’t she lovely?” she demanded in a 
thrilling whisper of Ehnor, who had slipped 
into her things and was already at the door. 

The girl unmistakably caught the words, 
for she turned a brilliant, measuring, half- 
approving look on her while she slowly 
began to divest herself of the alluring green 
apron. She was so evidently used to 
admiration that her smooth cheek showed 
no change of color, though the panic red 


20 


Miss Pat at School 


of swift confusion flamed on Patricians 
bright face. 

Pinning on her hat hastily, she fled after 
Elinor, feeling that she must seem most 
inexperienced and childish in the eyes of 
this fascinating creature who at once had 
eclipsed all previous claimants to her admi- 
ration. 

wonder if she is in the modeling 
class?n’ she said as she caught up with 
Ehnor in the composition room. don^t 
suppose there^s any such luck as that. 
She looks too clean 

Elinor interrupted her with a little shake. 
^^You hopeless little goose,’’ she said, in 
laughing despair. You’ve just promised 
me not to, and here you are it, hammer 
and tongs, under my very eyes.” 

^^My word!” cried Patricia indignantly. 
^‘You don’t mean I’m not to look at any- 
one! I can’t even express a little tame 
approval without your accusing me of 
grabbing a new soul mate. You can’t say 
she isn’t simply ravishing, and just because 
she’s ahve instead of being a picture or 
statue or some such made-up thing, you 


The Two New Students 


21 


want me to turn up my nose at her. I 
must say you are getting to be awfully 
extreme, Elinor Kendall. You^U want me 
to wear a muzzle next.” 

Elinor gave her a loving look, and 
Patricia, appropriating a comer of her big 
muff, gave her hand a surreptitious squeeze. 

wish I could kiss you, you old angel,” 
she said, irrevelantly. “Let^s lay in our 
pemmican, and hustle back for a seat in 
the parquet circle. I’m dying to look 
them over and see who’s who and what’s 
what before I make any more breaks.” 


CHAPTER II 


GETTING ACQUAINTED 

THY, it^s like a laundry,’^ ex- 
claimed Patricia in disappoint- 
^ ^ ment as she looked about her. 

The low-ceiled whitewashed apartment 
into which they had descended from the 
winding iron stair was sepulchrally bare 
and empty in the flicker of its noisy gas 
jets, the rusty gas stoves at its farther end 
emphasizing its general air of desolation. 

Elinor glanced beyond, through the low 
doorway to the next room. 

Suppose we do without hot things 
today?” she proposed. ^^The tables look 
pretty full in there. We mightn^t get a 
place if we delay too long.” 

“Suits me to a gnat^s heel,” declared 
Patricia eagerly. “Food is a secondary 
article, anyway, when it comes to char- 
acter study. I’m not so keen on cookery 
since I sighted this tasteful apartment.” 

( 22 ) 


Getting Acquaibted 


23 


She followed Elinor into the larger room 
where a feeble daylight, filtering in through 
heavily grated basement windows, struggled 
with the flaring gas jets, and the odor of 
cocoa and bread and butter mingled with 
sachet and the fumes of turpentine and 
paint. 

Elinor made her way over the mottled 
stone floor with as easy a grace as though 
it were a flowery turf, but Patricia, not so 
well schooled in concealing her feelings, 
made a wry mouth. 

“If this is where the celebrities eat, I 
don^t wonder they’re smudgy,” she said in 
an undertone, as they seated themselves at 
the last vacant table and spread their pur- 
chases on its discolored surface. “This 
doesn’t strike me as being very appetizing.” 

“It’s clean, anyway. Miss Pat,” said 
Elinor, whose practiced eyes had _been 
busy. “It looks soiled because the table- 
tops are old marble and the floor is mottled 
cement, but it is really clean, though I 
can’t honestly say it is attractive on first 
sight.” 

“One gets used to anything in time,” 


24 


Miss Pat at School 


said Patricia airily. ^^You remember how 
Sally Lukes missed the doing of those five 
weekly washes after Johnny got prosperous 
enough to keep her in comfort. I reckon 
we’ll be just like that after a while — can’t 
eat without smudges on the table and paint- 
splotches on the dining-room walls.” 

Her eyes strayed about, resting on one 
group after another till they lighted with 
sudden interest. 

There she is,” she said ardently. You 
can’t deny, Elinor, that she’s terribly good 
to look at. Why, the very way she manip- 
ulates that frilly napkin reconciles me to 
my food. I declare I’m twice as hungry 
as I was before.” 

The girl certainly did make a charming 
and refreshing picture in her pretty gown, 
and with a dainty lunch covering the 
objectionable table. Opposite to her sat 
the drab young woman, silently eating 
while she read hurriedly from a technical 
magazine. The contrast between the two 
was so great that it made Elinor wonder. 

'^She must be unselfish and agreeable,” 
she said, forgetting her momentary pre- 


Getting Acquainted 


25 


judice, ^^particularly when the other doesn^t 
seem to appreciate her society very highly. 
I fancy that one isn’t very diverting. I 
wonder why they are such chums.” 

“Relatives, perhaps,” hazarded Patricia, 
reveling in Elinor’s conversion. “I hope 
we get to know her soon, don’t you, Norn? 
She must be awfully popular. See how 
they all turn when she passes. I’m sorry 
she’s going, though, for I could simply 
feast, my eyes on her for hours.” 

Their new acquaintance of the corridor 
stopped at their table as she, too, made her 
way out. 

“I am going into the portrait class when 
I go up,” she said, her dark-fringed eyes 
smiling frankly down on Elinor. “They 
tell me you are going to take your first 
plunge this afternoon. I’ll be glad to 
show you about if you need any chap- 
eroning.” 

Elinor’s eyes met hers gratefully. “I’ll 
be so glad to have you tell me what I 
should do,” she said with relief and instant 
friendliness in her soft voice. “I’m just a 
beginner, you know. I’ve never been in 


26 


Miss Pat at School 


a class in my life and I’m rather scared 
about it.” 

The lips that Patricia had designated as 
^^nice and crinkly” widened in a bright 
smile that held no hint of hauteur. 

^^I’ll be about in the corridor when you 
come up,” she promised. “You don’t need 
to feel that way about it. It’s the simplest 
thing in the world — after you once get 
settled. You’re in great luck to get into 
life and head classes without ever having 
gone to school before. I fancy you are a 
very special brand of genius to have such 
privileges.” 

Elinor blushed and shook her head. 

“I studied with Bruce Hay don last sum- 
mer,” she said. “He got me in here.” 

“0 — oh,” responded the girl, her face 
suddenly alight. “That is splendid. You 
know he’s the most severe critic we have, 
but we all adore his work.” Then she 
added as an afterthought: “He’s tre- 
mendously popular with the men. He 
studied here, you know.” 

Patricia opened her eyes wide. “Why, 
Bruce is the most amiable sort,” she 


Getting Acquainted 


27 


protested. He’ll simply eat out of your 
hand up at home. I didn’t know he ever 
criticized here,” she ended, rather suspi- 
ciously. 

Elinor’s new friend smiled good- 
naturedly. ^^He only drops in once in a 
while,” she said. “He was here pretty 
often last month, but he hadn’t been here 
before that for nearly four years, they said. 
He’s abroad now, isn’t he?” 

Ehnor told her that Bruce was in Italy, 
getting his studies for the Fran§ais Society’s 
panel of early Italian history. 

“It must be jolly to know him out of the 
limelight,” said the girl, seriously. “The 
girls were so crazy over him here that 
there wasn’t a chance for a rational word 
with him, unless one were a man. He 
simply evaporated when he saw an apron.” 

Patricia laughed. “He’s not so retiring 
in private,” she declared, gayly. “He was 
one of our happy family for three months 
last summer and we never noticed any 
shyness; did we, Nom?” 

Elinor reared her head with dignity. 
“He was very kind and friendly to us,” 


28 


Miss Pat at School 


she explained to their companion, because 
he had been very much devoted to my 
aunt, who left us the house where we now 
live. He had no mother and Aunt Louise 
was very fond of him.^’ 

“Well, you’re awfully in luck, however 
it is,” replied the girl. “I’ll see you in 
about fifteen minutes,” and she nodded as 
she moved off, her dark hair gleaming 
in the mingled lights as she carried her 
small fine head proudly on her slender 
neck. 

Patricia was about to make a comment 
when she suddenly turned and came back 
to them. 

“I forgot to teU you my name,” she said, 
holding out a strong, slender hand. “I am 
Margaret Howes, and I know you are 
Elinor Kendall, for I saw it on your locker. 
I don’t know your sister’s name — she is 
your sister, isn’t she?” 

Patricia was introduced, and Margaret 
Howes, with promises to meet them later, 
went off finally, and Patricia and Elinor set 
to work to dispose of their neglected lunch, 
enjoying their own comments on the assem- 


Getting Acquainted 


29 


bled groups more than they did the cakes 
and fruit. 

^'Just look at that mournful creature.^^ 
Patrica motioned with her eyebrows to the 
opposite side of the room, where a large, 
stout young woman in somber cloak and 
wide-plumed hat was eating her way 
through a chocolate eclair with just such 
an air of tragic and settled melancholy as 
one sometimes sees in a child whose grief 
is momentarily its most cherished pos- 
session. 

^^Isn^t she the limit?^^ said Patricia in 
disdain. “She oughtn^t to eat frivolous 
things hke Eclairs. I wonder at her lack 
of judgment. 

“She isn’t in mourning,” said Elinor, 
making a discovery. “I wonder who she 
is. She’s impressive enough to be the 
president of the board, and Bruce says 
that’s the most important person in the 
place.” 

“She’s rather too collap-y for my taste,” 
volunteered Patricia, gathering up the 
remains of their repast. “I like the looks 
of lots of the others far better than hers. 


30 


Miss Pat at School 


Let^s ask Miss Margaret Howes about her. 
No doubt she can tell us what is her secret 
trouble.’^ 

They followed the general exodus up- 
stairs, feeling more and more at home with 
every step. 

“ IsnT it funny how familiar that antique 
room looks?’ ^ said Patricia with enjoyment. 

feel quite like an old residenter already. 
By the time my clay comes I’ll have the 
sensations of the oldest inhabitant.” 

Elinor was breathing fast as she swept 
the corridor with anxious glance. 

hope Miss Howes doesn’t forget,” 
she said apprehensively. ^H’d so much 
rather go into the class with her.” 

A girl sauntered past them as they loi- 
tered before their lockers. 

Looking for anyone?” she asked briskly, 
and hardly waiting for the answer, she 
raised her voice and called through the 
door of the next room: 

Hello, Howes! Here’s someone look- 
ing for you!” 

Patricia expected Margaret Howes as she 
emerged to show some surprise or annoy- 


Getting Acquainted 


31 


ance at this summary mode of speech, but 
she was as serene and unconscious as ever. 

^^I’m busy, Griffin,^^ she began, and then 
broke off as she saw the girls. '^Oh, here 
you are,” she said to Elinor. was 

looking for you in the modeling room.” 

The newcomer raised her pale eyebrows. 
^'Absent-minded as ever, I see, Howes,” 
she said with a whimsical sort of fondness 
in her peculiar voice. “Better run off to 
the head class before you forget where 
youTe due.” 

She watched Margaret Howes and Elinor 
till they turned into the screened entrance 
to the portrait room; then she turned to 
Patricia with easy friendliness. 

“You^re fresh meat, aren’t you?” she 
asked with a grin that widened her full 
mouth to a line. “When’d you come?” 

Patricia gave her the brief outlines of 
her enrolment, and she nodded approvingly. 

“Good stuff in the modeling room,” she 
commented briskly. “But don’t let old 
Bottle Green bulldoze you into thinking 
it’s a deaf and dumb asylum or the vesti- 
bule to the morgue or any such sequestered 


32 


Miss Pat at School 


spot. She^s deadly dull, you know, and 
she almost faints if you whisper while 
the model is posing. She’s monitor and 
I will say she enjoys the job.” 

^^What does she do?” asked Patricia, 
delighted with the ease and candor of 
this speech. She felt sure this rickety, 
loose-jointed, pale-colored young woman 
was going to be worth while. 

^^As monitor, you mean?” responded the 
other, opening a locker near by and begin- 
ning to assemble her implements from a 
jumble of all sorts of odds and ends with 
which the locker was overflowing. ^^As 
merely monitor she sees that the models 
are posed, gets the numbers ready for us 
to draw when there is a new model, sees 
to it that we don’t riot too loudly through 
the pose, takes any complaints we may 
have to make, to the powers above. But 
as guardian angel of the class, she soars 
far above our low conception of duty and 
propriety. Phew! Wait till you see her 
at it.” Here her speech was lost while 
she delved head first into the welter. 

Patricia occupied herself getting her tools 


Getting Acquainted 


33 


from the convenient shelf on her own 
locker, hoping that the talk was not to 
end there. 

Griffin emerged as suddenly as she had 
disappeared. ''But it's the men that spoil 
her," she went on as though no inter- 
ruption had occurred. "They're polite to 
her because she's so everlastingly gloomy. 
Same sort of politeness they'd show to a 
hearse, you know — respectful but not 
companionable. ' ' 

Patricia gave an exclamation. "I believe 
I've seen her!" she cried. "She wears a 
long cloak and a hat with a big black 
plume, doesn't she? We noticed her at 
lunch and wondered what was the matter 
with her." 

"Just a case of permanent glooms, if 
you ask me," replied Griffin airily. "She 
loves melancholy, though she is an awfully 
good sort, too. She gets on my nerves, 
though, she's so brittle 

Patricia puckered her brow inquir- 
ingly. 

"Breaks a bone every time anyone looks 
hard at her," explained the other, shoving 


3 


34 


Miss Pat at School 


the protruding conglomeration of her locker 
inside and snapping the door quickly on 
it. She’s more bones than the average, 
and she breaks them regularly every time 
she learns the name of a new one. I think 
she oughtn’t to be allowed in the dissect- 
ing room for any consideration. She’s 
just out of splints now for a right arm 
fracture, and, believe me, she worked all 
the time with her left.” 

^^How could she?” wondered Patricia, 
feeling awed by this devotion to art. 

She couldn’t,” grinned Griflan. That’s 
the point. She’s so taken up with her 
pose as suffering martyr that she over- 
looks a trifle like good work. Heavens, 
there’s the gong! I’ve kept you here 
gassing when I know you’re crazy to 
get to work. Come along in, and I’U‘ 
help you set up your stand before the 
model poses again.” 

Patricia followed her into the big, clay- 
soiled, dusty room, clutching her new 
smooth wooden tools with nervous fingers. 

On the large revolving model stand in 
the center sat a dark, slender Russian- 


Getting Acquainted 


35 


looking young man, indifferent to the group 
that with their tall-wheeled stands were 
circled about him. He sat with his narrow 
blue eyes sleepily fixed on the wall, regard- 
less alike of the sturdy smocked men and 
slender boys in full blue-paint jackets, as 
of the equally silent and clayey girls and 
women that scrutinized him with earnestly 
squinting eyelids. The only creature in 
the room that seemed to evoke the slight- 
est responsive flicker of intelligence was 
the black-robed, gray-aproned, redundant 
figure of the monitor. 

Patricia’s stand, with its heavy curved 
iron head-piece and some lengths of copper 
and lead wire, was waiting for her in the 
clay room, and together they wheeled it 
into the modeling room, where the gloomy 
Miss Green scanned them with kind but 
somber eyes, plainly regarding their en- 
trance as an interruption. 

“You’ve got to make butterflies of the 
wire-loops, you know, to hold the clay 
up, or it’ll slump down off the iron head- 
piece soon as you get your head set up,” 
explained her instructor in an agreeable 


36 


Miss Pat at School 


tone. easier to set up a head than 

a figure, I can tell you ” 

^^Miss Griffin!’^ came the dreary voice 
of the monitor, as with a fat and dimpled 
finger she pointed solemnly to the sign on 
the door, ''No Talking.^’ 

Griffin grinned amiably at the reproving 
finger. "Only the necessary instructions 
to a novice. Green dear,” she protested 
smoothly. "I^m saving you the trouble 
of showing her how. You really ought 
to thank me instead of holding me up to 
scorn.” 

Miss Green, with a kindly glance at 
Patricia, puckered up her lips in the circle 
that only fat, soft-fleshed people can ac- 
complish and laid the impartial finger on 
them as a sign that no more words were 
to be wasted, and the class, temporarily 
attentive to the newcomers, became ab- 
sorbed again. 

A heavy-shouldered dark man, whose 
workmanlike appearance was heightened 
by the torn and spotted linen apron he 
wore, came quietly over to Patricia, and, 
taking the wire from Miss Grifiin’s thin. 


Getting Acquainted 


37 


nervous hands, silently and swiftly finished 
the work she had begun, while she, with a 
nod of acquiescence, went to her own 
stand and began to thump lumps of clay 
into shape about her own iron head-piece. 

Patricia accepted the help as silently 
as it was offered, and when he brought 
her clay and, still mute, showed her how 
to block the rough clay into a semblance 
of a human head, she smiled at him with 
ready gratitude, not daring more for fear 
of the omnipotent Miss Green. 

^^How do you like it now?^^ asked 
Griffin, as the gong released them for the 
rest, and they slipped out in the corridor 
to look for Elinor. 

^Terfectly fineand dandyl^^cried Patricia, 
glowing. ^^My word, but that Miss Green 
is severe! I never heard such silence as in 
that room. Why, an ordinary schoolroom 
is a perfect Babel compared to it.’’ 

^ ^You’ll get used to old Bottle Green, all 
right,” said Griffin reassuringly. ^^Her 
bark is a whole lot worse than her bite. 
She’s a trump at heart, though she is 
awful fool on the outside.” 


38 


Miss Pat at School 


Elinor was waiting for them, and Patricia 
could see that she was in a state of great 
agitation. She hurried to her, while her 
companion dropped behind to exchange 
notes with one of the men from the com- 
position room. 

^^What is it, Norn? Didn^t you get 
along all right?^^ she asked breathlessly. 

Elinor dropped on a stool and raised her 
face to her sister, and Patricia was sur- 
prised to see that her eyes were shining 
with joy instead of tears. 

^^Oh, Miss Pat!^^ she cried in an ecstasy. 
^^IVe made good, and I can write to Bruce 
and tell him!’^ 

“What, already?’’ exclaimed Patricia 
rapturously. ^^You duck! Tell me all 
about it instantly.” 

She swept Elinor off the stool, away from 
the crowded dressing room, and at last 
found a deserted corner behind a big cast. 

“Now,” she demanded, ^Hell me all 
about it, or I’ll simply die of ingrowing 
curiosity.” 

Elinor rippled and dimpled in a surpris- 
ingly sparkling fashion as she recounted 


Getting Acquainted 


39 


her experience in the portrait room, and 
Patricia, while she listened, marveled at the 
change in her placid sister. 

^^And so,^’ concluded Elinor, “when I had 
just gotten ready to come out to see you, 
some more of them came over and looked 
at it. And one of them said, ^Dorset’s 
right. It^s a pace-maker all correct,’ 
and then they brought some other men, and 
I left.” 

Patricia, greatly excited, patted her hard 
on the shoulder. “I told you you’d be a 
winner,” she crowed. “I guess Bruce 
knew what he was talking about.” 

Elinor’s face clouded. “But I have only 
started the outline,” she confessed. “And 
I’m awfully weak on putting in the tones. 
I’m afraid I’ll make a fizzle of it.” 

“See here,” said Patricia, facing her 
severely. “I’m tired of your deceptive 
timidity. Just let someone else say you 
can’t do it, and you’d feel mighty mad 
about it, but you’re willing to scare me out 
of my feeble senses by croaking.” 

Elinor jumped up laughing, and hugged 
her. “I’ll be as conceited as you like. 


40 


Miss Pat at School 


if you^U stop scolding/^ she promised, 
gayly. “It doesn^t look well to be too 
much under the thumb of a younger sister, 
even if she is a promising sculptor. By the 
way, how are you getting on? I hear that 
Miss Griffin is a wonderful worker. Did 
you see anything of her work?’^ 

Patricia gave her a brief outline of the 
class and its chief characters, as far as she 
had observed, dwelling on Miss Green with 
great satisfaction. 

“I know she’s going to be a treat,” she 
declared. “I hope she keeps whole for a 
while at least, until I get better acquainted.” 

“And do you know,” she went on, 
“that the model is a Russian refugee, and 
he tried to kiU himself because he was so 
homesick. He’s just out of the hospital, 
and he has a great red scar across his breast. 
Isn’t it exciting to be among such different 
sort of people? We’ve always been so 
sort of tabbified.” 

“We’ve had enough ups and downs, I am 
sure,” said Elinor vaguely. It was evident 
that her mind was not on either their 
varied past nor even the fascinating present. 


Getting Acquainted 


41 


but was busy with a future of progress and 
achievement. 

“Wake up, old lady,” cried Patricia. 
“There’s the gong, and we must fly.” 

Patricia toiled all that afternoon with the 
ardor of ignorance and hope. The others 
looked at her with occasional interest, 
but otherwise paid little attention to her. 
In the rests she went out to visit Elinor, or 
Elinor came in to watch her progress. Her 
head fairly swam with the delightful novelty 
of this new and quick-flowing life. When 
the last gong rang she heard it with regret. 

“It’s better than I ever dreamed,” she 
said to the amiable Griffin as she was 
showing her how to put the wet cloths 
about her work. “It’s not half so hard as 
I thought it would be, either.” 

“Wait till Saturday, when old Jonesy 
lights on you,” warned her new friend. 
“You won’t find life so lightsome when his 
eagle eye discovers you.” 

“Pooh, I shan’t mind how criss-cross he 
is,” declared Patricia valiantly. “I’m 
only the rankest greenhorn, anyway. He 
can’t expect me to be a Rodin.” 


42 


Miss Pat at School 


She washed her tools in the grimy tanks 
of the clay room, more in love with it 
every minute, and when she joined Elinor 
at their lockers, she was fairly bursting 
with enthusiasm. 

^^It’s simply heavenly, and I don^t know 
how we got along without it!” she cried, 
rapturously. “It makes me wild to think 
of the months weVe wasted this fall.” 

Elinor laughed her low ripple. “We 
didn’t find Francis Edward David till the 
middle of December, and it’s now the 
third week in January. I don’t think we’ve 
let much grass grow under our feet.” 

“I wish this were the night for night 
life,” said Patricia fervently. “I’d stay 
and watch you begin ” 

“No, you wouldn’t,” said Elinor, prompt- 
ly. “They don’t allow other people in the 
life-class rooms. You’d have to go home 
and see that Judith was all right. We 
can’t leave her too much to her own devices, 
even if she is the best little thing in the 
world.” 

“Bless her heart!” cried Patricia, with 
a laugh. “I’d clean forgot that I had any 


Getting Acquainted 


43 


relatives in the world. It^s a good thing 
I have you to keep me straight, Norn. 
Mercy, what a jam! I don^t believe we’ll 
ever get a place at the wash-stands.” 

The dressing room was crowded to its 
limit, paint brushes were being washed and 
stained hands scrubbed at the line of 
faucets that occupied two sides of the room; 
girls were hurrying into their street clothes, 
while others, coming in for the night life, 
were getting into aprons and paint dresses; 
some few who were staying for the night 
life were curled up on the wide couches, 
exchanging comments with their friends 
among the hurrying crowd while they 
refreshed themselves with crackers or 
cakes. 

Patricia, with her cheeks glowing and 
twin lights dancing in her big eyes, loitered 
so over her dressing that they were among 
the last to leave. 

hate to go, don’t you?” she said, as 
they came out into the corridor, which was 
dimmer than ever in the sparsely lit 
twilight. “I love — Oh, how you made 
me jump!” she cried, starting back as a 


44 


Miss Pat at School 


figure stepped from the alcove by the 
street entrance. 

The girl, who was unknown to them 
both, addressed them impartially. 

^^The Committee on Initiation hereby 
notify you that your initiation will take 
place on Friday of this week, and you are 
instructed to produce the usual initiation 
fee, or answer to the committee for the 
failure. 

Patricia gasped. ^^My word!’^ she cried. 
^^They donT postpone things much around 
here, do they? What is the fee?^^ 

“Three pounds of candy for the modeling 
and composition class, four for the head and 
illustration class, and five for the life,^' was 
the prompt response. 

Patricia giggled. “YouTe in for it, 
Norn. You have to pony up for the head 
and the night life, too. I^m in luck to be 
in the mudpie department.’^ 

“What is the initiation itself?” asked 
Elinor, as the girl turned away. 

“You’ll find out when it happens,” she 
replied, over her shoulder. “They never 
know themselves till the last moment. 


Getting Acquainted 


45 


The day classes are tame — just a speech 
when you turn in your candy or some such 
mild diversion, but the night life is more 
sporting, and they may put you through ;a 
course of sprouts, but they’re good-natured 
idiots on the whole. None of us are as 
outrageous as we seem.” 

Elinor looked after her thoughtfully, 
hope they won’t be too hard on me,” 
she said slowly. “I’d be sorry to begin my 
term with anything that left the least 
bitter taste. Everything here is so free- 
spirited and high-minded that I want it to 
keep on being so for me always.” 

Patricia’s eyes narrowed. “I believe 
I’U make my candy up in as attractive a 
way as I possibly can, and I’U spring it on 
them first thing, so they’U be in too good 
a humor to want to haze me very hard. 
Don’t you think that might work for you, 
too?” 

“Indeed I do,” replied EUnor, heartily. 
“I’m getting an idea already, and if I can 
put it through, I don’t believe the com- 
mittee wiU have so much fun with me as 
they may think.” 


CHAPTER III 


ANTICIPATION 


w 


HAT a pack of mail,” said 
Judith. 

It was Friday morning, and 


the three girls were the last in the dining- 
room. The sun was slanting brightly in 
over the table and fell across the pile of 
letters with a prophetic shimmer, making 
the little red and green patches of the 
stamps flame into gay prominence. 

Patricia sorted them over rapidly before 
Elinor had reached the table. 

^^Here^s one for you from Frad,” she 
announced, “and one for me from Miss 
Jinny, and there are two for Judy from 
Rockham — ^looks like Mrs. Shelly and 
Hannah Aim, but I’m not sure — and the 
rest are only circulars. Atkins’ Diablo 
Water and Bartine’s Foreign Tours.” 

“I do wish they wouldn’t send those 
circulars to us. They’re so disappointing. 


( 46 ) 


Anticipation 


47 


for half the time they look like real letters/' 
said Judith, reaching an eager hand for her 
own mail. think they ought to keep 
them for older people who don't care so 
much. Oh, it is Mrs. Shelly, Miss Pat," 
she broke off, as she tore open the first 
envelope and began eagerly to scan the 
sheets. 

Patricia, absorbed in her own letter, 
merely grunted ^^Uh-huh" and turned the 
page. Then she burst out joyfully, ^'Well, 
of all people in the world! Listen, Norn. 
Miss Jinny is coming to town next week 
to stay four or five days, and she wants to 
know if we can get her a place here. Isn't 
that jolly!" 

Ehnor, who had lifted her eyes perfunc- 
torily, gave real attention. 

^^How splendid!" she cried. ^^Now we'll » 
have a chance to give back a few of the 
kindnesses she showered on us last summer. 
Of course we can find a place, and we won't 
let her come except as our guest, and we'll 
give her the very best sort of a time we can, 
to show how glad we are to have her here." 

“If Mrs. Hudson hasn't any other room, 


48 


Miss Pat at School 


she can have mine/’ said Judith promptly. 
'^She never would let us make up for all 
those afternoons that she kept the library 
for us, and I’d love to be dreadfully uncom- 
fortable if I could help make her comfor- 
table.” 

Elinor laughed and patted the slender 
hand that pressed the table with such 
nervous force. 

don’t think Miss Jinny’d want any 
of us to suffer for her pleasure, Ju dear,” 
she said gently. ^^I’m sure Mrs. Hudson 
has a good front room that we can get. 
I heard that Miss Snow had left and her 
room wasn’t to be filled till next week; so 
we are just in the nick of time, you see.” 

“Isn’t it lucky?” cried Patricia radiantly. 
“You’ll see about it right away, won’t 
you, Elinor? It has a splendid view of 
the park. I know she’ll love that. You 
know how she hates ^bricks and mortar.’ ” 

Elinor nodded, picking up her letter 
again. “You don’t seem at all keen about 
David,” she began, when Judith broke out 
excitedly, holding up her letter. 

“Mrs. Shelly wants me to come with 


Anticipation 


49 


Miss Jinny and stay over Sunday. Please, 
please let me go, Elinor, for she says she’ll 
get out all her old stories and letters, and 
we’ll have a splendid time!” 

Patricia and Elinor swept a swift, remem- 
bering glance at the pale, eager face, and 
the memory of that scene in the old book- 
room at Greycroft, when Judith had the 
vision of her future, flashed into each mind. 
They had had no laughter then for Judith’s 
prophecy of her literary career, and so now 
they had only instant sympathy with their 
little sister’s enthusiasm. 

^^Of course you shall go, Ju dear,” said 
Ehnor, warmly. ^^It’s sweet of Mrs. 
Shelly to ask you, and you’ll have a lovely 
time in that dear little old-fashioned house 
with her and Miss Jinny.” 

Won’t it seem queer to you to be any- 
where but at Greycroft, though?” mused 
Patricia, her eyes wide and absent. Al- 
though we’ve only had the place not quite 
a year, I feel as though we’d always been 
there, and I can’t imagine how it would 
seem to have to live anywhere else now” 

^'That’s because it is the first real home 


50 


Miss Pat at School 


you’ve known/’ said Elinor. “One always 
feels that way about a homeP 

Judith cocked her blond head thought- 
fully. 

“Don’t you think it’s the house, too?” 
she asked critically. “Some houses seem 
to be so alive and to belong to some people. 
Greycroft just fitted Aunt Louise, and 
when she left, it was lonesome till it found 
someone who liked the same things she did, 
and then it opened its eyes and waked up 
again. I don’t believe it would be itself 
with Mrs. Hand in it, or even with the 
Halls, though they are so sweet and fine- 
mannered.” 

“Wise Judy,” commended Patricia. 
“You’ve discovered half the secret. But 
here’s Elinor, like patience on a monument, 
with David’s letter in her hly-white paw. 
What does he say, Norn? Is he coming 
to town this month as he promised? Does 
he like Prep as well as he did ” 

“Do let her read it to us,” begged Judith. 
“You chatter so. Miss Pat, that no one can 
get a word in edgewise.” 

Patricia made a laughing face. 


Anticipation 


51 


‘^Fire away, Scheherezade,’^ she com- 
manded, folding her arms in eager atten- 
tion. Unfold the tale of the letter of the 
long-lost twin brother of the three lovely 
sisters of ” 

Judith, who had mufHed the sparkling 
stream of Patricia’s nonsense, drew her 
hand away with a little squeal. 

^^Ouchr^ she cried reproachfully. 

That’s not fair. You bit.” 

“Not hard,” Patricia reassured her 
gravely. “Just enough to turn you loose. 
’Twas not so deep as a grave nor so wide 
as a church door, but it did answer. Go 
on, Elinor, love, it’s getting late.” 

Judith had picked up the envelope and 
was examining the seal. 

“Isn’t the frat paper lovely?” she sighed. 
“I do hope I shall go to college — or else 
have a husband who belongs to a lot 
of ” 

“Silence!” thumped Patricia. 

Elinor, who had been quietly going on 
with her breakfast, laid down her fork. 

“Read it for yourselves,” she smiled, 
tossing the sheet across the table. “My 


52 


Miss Pat at School 


timers about up. It^s criticism morning in 
the portrait class, and I want to get a lot 
more done before Mr. Benton comes. 

Patricia grabbed the sheet before Judith 
could set down her glass, and she read it 
aloud, with great enjoyment. 

^Dear Elinor^ — begins well, doesn’t it, 
Judy? I couldn’t have done much better 
myself — ^Tom Hughes and I are coming to 
town next Saturday, and we are going to 
blow ourselves, for his birthday.’ Not 
very enlightening as to Tom Hughes — 
never heard of him before; but that’s 
neither here nor there, of course.” 

^^Do get on. Miss Pat,” urged Judith, 
folding her napkin. ^H’ve got to get to 
school sometime this morning, you know.” 

^^Thus admonished, I return to the 
manuscript,” said Patricia gravely. 

Where is it? ^His birthday.’ Oh, yes. 
^ Don’t you three girls want to go to the 
matinee with us and have lunch at some 
swell joint? Write me at once if you can 
go. We will be in on the eleven-fifteen at 
the Terminal and have to leave on the 4.30. 
Yours,’ et cetera and so on, and all that 


Anticipation 


53 


stuff. Hallelujah, good gentleman, what 
a lark!^^ 

think you ought to use better lan- 
guage, Miss Pat, now that you are going 
to be a sculptor,’^ said Judith severely, 
and then broke into open delight. ^^We^U 
go, won’t we, Elinor? We wouldn’t dis- 
appoint David, would we? On his birth- 
day, too.” 

“It must be Tom Hughes’ birthday,” 
said Elinor. “But whose ever it is, we are 
going to celebrate, since we’re invited. 
I’ll write ^immejit,’ as Hannah Ann 
says.” 

“But how do you know it isn’t David’s?” 
persisted Judith, as she gathered up her 
letters. “We never asked David when his 
birthday came, did we?” 

Patricia rolled her eyes in mock agony. 

“Did it occur to your massive mind that 
David Francis Edward had a twin sister 
with whom you were fairly well ac- 
quainted?” she asked in smooth and oily 
tones. “Twins, you know, have a quaint 
custom of celebrating their birthdays on 
the same date. Don’t swoon, Infant; it 


54 


Miss Pat at School 


i 

is overpowering news, but you^U get over 
it in time/^ 

Judith tossed her head, with a little 
giggle at her own expense. 

forgot,” she said. never can 

remember that you^re both the same age. 
You are always saying that he is so young. 
Miss Pat.” 

^^So he is,” replied Patricia, promptly. 
^^No end younger than I am; but boys 
are that way. Who^s your other letter 
from, Ju?” 

Judith^s face assumed a smooth blank- 
ness that passed unnoticed by both Elinor 
and Patricia, now intent on finishing their 
breakfast and getting off. 

Hannah Ann just says that the house 
is all right and Henry is as well as usual,” 
she replied, with an uneasy flush on her 
clear cheek. 

^^What in the world did Hannah Ann 
write to you for?” queried Elinor absently. 
^^She usually sends her weekly reports 
to me.” 

'^She^s all right,” repeated Judith, with 
an apprehensive glance at Patricia, who, 


Anticipation 


55 


however, was entirely oblivious, her atten- 
tion now being wholly concentrated on her 
breakfast and Bartine^s Tours. 

must see Mrs. Hudson,’^ said Elinor, 
rising. “IT meet you at the Academy, 
Squibs. Have you your candy all done 
up? I shanT take my life-class stuff till 
this afternoon.’' 

“But you’ve got to turn in the head- 
class fee this morning, you know,” re- 
minded Patricia, coming back from Italy 
with a jump. “I have my junk all ready, 
and I’ll teU you when I’m going to spring 
it on them, so you can have a peep at 
the fun.” 

“And I won’t forget to let you know 
just when I’m ready to give in mine, so 
we both can see how they take it,” said 
Elinor from the door. 

Patricia laughed as she too rose. 

“I’ll see to it that you don’t forget, 
miss,” she said gayly. “Good-bye, Judy; 
don’t be late for lunch, for it’s short and 
sweet with us real artists. We can’t 
potter over our food like you idle Philis- 
tines, you know.” 


56 


Miss Pat at School 


Judith gulped the last mouthful and 
flung down her napkin. 

be there on time/^ she promised, 
eagerly. ^'Miss Hillis said I could go five 
minutes earlier, as it was a holiday afternoon. 
1^11 get the rolls and oranges on my way.” 

We’ll meet you at the door on Charter 
Street,” Elinor reminded her, as she kissed 
her. “Be sure to be there on time.” 

“I’ll remember,” laughed Judith, her 
anticipation of the delights of lunching 
at the Academy with grown-up artists 
shining in her starry eyes. “I’m per- 
fectly crazy over it. I’m going to write 
all about it in my diary.” 

“Then we shall be handed down to 
fame!” cried Patricia, giving Judith a 
very hard squeeze and pinching her thin 
cheeks into color. “Look us over weU, 
Judy-pudy, and see how much you can 
make of your two illustrious sisters; for 
I feel sure that I, for one, wiU never have 
a chance to be ^writ up’ again.” 

. “Oh, go along. Miss Pat! You’ll be 
awfully late,” said Judith, wriggling away, 
flushed and happy. 


Anticipation 


57 


Patricia watched, flying up the stairs 
two steps at a time, and she turned to 
Elinor, with her hand on the door. 

^^Ju’s a clever young monkey, in spite 
of her grannified airs,^' she said, warmly. 

we can only get some of the starch 
out of her by the time she^s old enough 
to take notice, her dream of being a great 
writer may come half-way true.^^ 

^^If she’s going to be a writer, she’ll 
drop her dignified pose soon enough,” 
predicted Elinor easily. She’ll be too 
much interested in other people and things 
to remember herself too vividly.” 

That’s so,” admitted Patricia readily. 
^^You always hit the nail on the head, 
old lady. Now I must run. See you 
later,” and closing the door behind her, 
she ran down the steps and hurried off 
through the tingling morning air, with her 
parcel tight under her arm and a kindling 
light on her mobile face. 

do hope they like it and won’t be 
too hard on me,” she thought, as she has- 
tened on. ^^It took a lot of trouble to 
make all the little figures, but if they’ll 


58 


Miss Pat at School 


only let me off from speechifying, 111 feel 
it was worth it.’^ 

There was no one in the modeling room 
but Naskowski, the silent, heavy-shouldered 
Slav who toiled early and late making up 
for his lost youth. Him Patricia held to 
be as impersonal as any of the other fur- 
nishings of the room, and she readily took 
him into her plan. 

^^Let^s wheel all the stands into a circle 
around the model stand, she said briskly. 
‘^You see, I want them all to get them at 
once if I can work it. IT put the figures 
in under the cloths, beside each head, so 
they wonT show.’^ 

Naskowski slowly shook his head. 

^^They will approach at different times — 
not? It will be more better to place them 
during the first rest.^’ 

^^But how can I?” insisted Patricia. 
^^They don^t all go out at the rests, you 
know.” 

He held up his finger. 

Listen,” he said, impressively. 
make a figure that they all wish to see, 
but I have not shown him. Well, when 


Anticipation 


59 


I show him, at the rest, all, all go out 
to the clay room to see.” 

Patricia clapped her hands. 

^^And I stay in and slip the figures on 
the stands! How nice! It^s awfully good 
of you.’’ She broke off with a sudden 
clouding of her gayety. ^^But perhaps 
you don’t really want them to see your 
figure? I couldn’t have you ” 

He interrupted her with an upheld hand, 
was to exhibit it today, and I am 
pleased to be serviceable to a newcomer 
at once,” he said gravely. 

Patricia was only too glad to give in. 
'^That makes it perfectly simple, then,” 
she said gratefully. ^H’m tremendously 
obliged to you for helping me out.” 

^Ht iss nothing,” said Naskowski stolidly 
as he went back to the clay room, but 
Patricia could see that he was pleased at 
the ardor of her gratitude. 

^^He’s an awfully good sort, if he is queer 
and stubby,” she said, pausing to hide her 
parcel beneath her stand until the pro- 
pitious moment. 

The first half hour seemed longer than 


60 


Miss Pat at School 


any that Patricia had spent in the modeling 
room. The students straggled in at various 
times, and when the gong rang there were 
still several of the usual number who had 
not appeared. Naskowski, as the class 
broke up for the brief interval, found chance 
to whisper a suggestion that she postpone 
it till the next rest, and Patricia eagerly 
agreed. 

go look up my sister and tell her,’’ 
she said. ^^We can smuggle her into the 
clay room, too, to see your work, can’t 
we? I know she’d be crazy to get a glimpse 
of it, and then she might get a snap-shot 
at the fun in here.” 

Naskowski nodded a pleased assent, and 
Patricia sped away. 

She found Elinor perturbed and excited 
beyond her wont. 

Isn’t it horrid? Mr. Benton’s come 
already, and I won’t have a chance with 
my candy before criticism, as I hoped. 
I don’t know what to do about it. I did 
so want to get it off my mind before I got 
my criticism, for I’m scared stiff about 
both of them.” 


Anticipation 


61 


^'Why, you goose! Don't you see that 
it makes it easy for you!" cried Patricia, 
her eyes dancing. ^^You can simply put 
your nice big box of candy on the model 
stand during a rest, and they won't dare ask 
you to do any stunts with him in the room.'’ 

Elinor laughed helplessly. don't 

know what is the matter with my brain," 
she said in relieved contempt of her own 
confusion of mind. “Of course, it is ever 
so much easier. What a stupid I am not to 
see it for myself!" 

Patricia squeezed her hand surrepti- 
tiously. “You're so far up in the clouds 
these days that the commonplace side of 
life doesn't exist. You'll be all right after 
you get used to it," she soothed. “You're 
going to be pretty free to inhabit cloudland 
for this winter, and I'm willing to bet any 
reasonable amount that Hannah Ann will 
see to it that the housekeeping doesn't 
distract you next summer. She's perfectly 
crazy over your painting, since it's like 
Aunt Louise. And there won't be any 
boarders or any other money-making 
schemes this year to harrow our souls." 


62 


Miss Pat at School 


“It seems too good — after all those years 
at the boarding schools, and the scrimmage 
we had when the mortgage was foreclosed — 
to feel secure at last,’^ said Elinor grate- 
fully. “Everything seems to be heaping 
up to make us happy.” 

“Timers up!” cried Patricia, jumping up. 
“Be on hand at the next rest, angel child. 
Come in the clay room ^immejiP the gong 
rings,” and she hurried off, humming a 
gay little song. 

The gay little song persisted, much to 
the dissatisfaction of the severe monitor. 
Miss Green, whose fat and lugubrious 
countenance took on a deeper shade of 
gloom at every hushed note that trembled 
in Patricia’s rounded throat. 

After casting a martyr-like glance of 
reproach at her, as she worked on, all 
unconscious of the mental agony she was 
inflicting. Miss Green cleared her throat 
slushily, and in the most subdued tone 
possible addressed Patricia. 

“Miss Kendall will not disturb the class, 
I am sure, if she realizes that her humming 
is a source of annoyance,” she said, her own 


Anticipation 


63 


really musical voice fluting in melodious 
minor cadences. 

Patricia started and looked up with a 
sunny smile. 

^^Was I humming?^’ she asked genially. 
“I didn^t know I was making any noise at 
all. I^m awfully sorry to have gotten on 
your nerves. I was thinking about some 
exercises, and I must have thought out 
loud.’’ 

Miss Green, much mollified by Patricia’s 
ready acknowledgment, beamed over her 
round spectacles. 

^‘1 am sure Miss Kendall has the best 
intentions possible to any agreeable young 
lady,” she said in a hushed though cere- 
monious manner. 

She paused so long, regarding Patricia 
with her head on one side, that Patricia 
was afraid she was going to orate further, 
and visions of a premature initiation flitted 
uneasily through her nimble mind. Miss 
Green, however, said nothing further, taking 
up her tools and going on with her work 
with a complacent and benignant smile 
in her little pink mouth. 


64 


Miss Pat at School 


GriflBn, who was just behind her, winked 
solemnly at Patricia and then shook her 
head sadly, as if to indicate that the moni- 
tor was in her opinion hopelessly incorri- 
gible. 

“Doesn^t Greeny make you a bit weary?^^ 
she asked, as she slipped over beside 
Patricia as the gong was about to sound. 

She’s so drearily ornate.” 

'^Oh, I don’t know,” replied Patricia 
easily. ^^She’s kind, anyway. I think 
if she were thin, people wouldn’t find her 
half bad. Fat people never seem quite as 
human as the rest of us.” 

^'Stuff !” said Griffin energetically. She’d 
be simply awful if she were thin. Aren’t 
you coming in to see Naskowski’s lion- 
tamer? He’s showing it in the clay room.” 

'H’U be along later. I’ve got something 
to attend to first,” promised Patricia, 
inwardly quaking lest the other should offer 
to wait for her; but she went off with the 
crowd that was hurrying into the clay room, 
and Patricia was free to arrange her 
surprise. 

Diving under her stand, she fished out 


Anticipation 


65 


the bundle and opened it with trembling 
fingers. 

I can only get them all placed before 
they come back/’ she said to herself, as 
she unwrapped each little bulky parcel. 
“I hope Naskowski gives me time.” 


6 


CHAPTER IV 


THE INITIATIONS 

TASNT it the flattest thing you 
ever saw?’’ said Patricia, dis- 
^ ^ gustedly, as they waited for 
Judith at the side door. thought it was 
going off well when GriflBn opened the ball 
by finding her little figure poked away 
there on the stand back of her head, and 
made such a cute speech to it, but the rest 
of them certainly behaved like tame tabbies. 
I was never so disappointed in my life.” 

thought Miss Green was really quite 
clever,” said Elinor brightly. ^^She cer- 
tainly read the verse attached to her’s 
with a lot of expression. I didn’t think she 
could be so sprightly.” 

Patricia drummed on the railing. ‘^She 
was well enough,” she admitted grudgingly. 
'^But after I had modeled those figures 
and tried to get something appropriate for 
each one — and it was hard to get the candy 
( 66 ) 


The Initiations 


67 


into the inside of them, too, without spoil- 
ing it — they go and accept them as though 
they were a cup of afternoon tea. I 
thought they’d show more spirit. Don’t 
talk to me about artists being gay and 
Bohemian after this.” 

“It was a little quiet,” acknowledged 
Elinor, “but, at least, they were very 
pleasant about it. They all agreed that 
it was the cleverest thing that had been 
done in that line.” 

Patricia gazed gloomily at the door of 
the life-class room. 

“I wish I were in the night life,” she said 
resentfully. “I envy you, Nom, being 
among live people.” 

Elinor smiled ruefully. “And I’d like 
to swap with you,” she said. “I’d much 
prefer a quiet time like I had in the head 
class this morning, or an agreeable time 
like you had, to anything riotous.” 

Patricia sighed and stirred restlessly. 
“Isn’t that like life?” she commented, her 
face clearing as the thought took hold on 
her. “We’re all hankering after something 
that we haven’t got — or we think we are. 


68 


Miss Pat at School 


Maybe — ^maybe we^d not like the other 
thing any better if we did get it, though 
one^s own things always seem awfully 
commonplace, don^t they?^^ 

Before Elinor could respond, she started 
to the door with an exclamation. 

Here’s Judy! On time to the dot!” 
she cried. ^^Come on in, Ju; drop your 
plunder into my strong arm and let us 
introduce you to the Academy.” 

Judith, with her hat rather on one side 
and her cheeks flushed from the wind and 
swift walking, kissed them both breath- 
lessly and tumbled her bundles into 
Patricia’s capacious apron. 

She followed them into the dressing 
room with her eyes busy but without a 
single word, and it was not until they had 
taken her through the various class rooms, 
deserted at this noon hour, and were on 
their way down to the lunch room that she 
found speech. 

must say, Elinor,” she began, in 
response to a question, ^Hhat it’s very 
different from what you girls led me to 
expect.” 


The Initiations 


69 


/^Did we draw such rosy pictures?^' 
asked Patricia in surprise. thought we 
told you it was remarkably spotty and just 
as smelly. 

continued Judith with emphasis, 
must say that, dirt and all, it is more 
glorious-ified than I thought it would be. 
That big-winged angel or whatever it is 
at the top of the stairs looks as if it would 
soar right up to the top of heaven — ^it’s 
so white and strong!’’ 

Patricia’s eyes filled with the ready tears 
as she caught the look on Judith’s thin 
face, raised in adoring admiration to the 
great Winged Victory that ^stood poised 
at the top of the wide flight of stone stairs, 
showing triumphant in the misty light that 
seems to fill all great indoor spaces. 

“That’s the part that makes up for all 
the soil and smudge, Ju darling,” said 
Elinor softly. “Paint and charcoal and 
clay are dirty things, but when they’re 
wielded with the force of an Ideal, they 
can illuminate the world.’^ 

Judith swept her adoring gaze from the 
Victory to her sister’s face. 


70 


Miss Pat at School 


^^Oh, oh,” she breathed, didn’t know 
you could talk like that, Elinor. It sounds 
like some beautiful book.” 

Elinor blushed and laughed. can’t, 
usually,” she said, gayly. “ It is the Victory 
that did it. She must have handed down 
some of the thoughts of the old Greek that 
carved her out of the white marble under 
that blue, blue sky of ancient days.” 

Patricia nodded her quick appreciation. 
^^I wonder how many she has spoken to, 
in aU the centuries?” she mused, her eyes 
growing wide and absent. Think of 
them, Norn — ^those people who felt her 
spell and heard the message. What a 
glorious company!” 

It was Elinor’s turn to raise misty eyes 
to the Messenger of the Ideal, and, like 
Judith, she was silent, busy with this 
thought. 

'^Do you know,” Patricia went on, the 
peculiarly sweet, clear tone that marked her 
best self growing as she spoke, ^^I’ve come 
to care a lot about that glorious company. 
‘The kings of the earth shall bring then- 
glory and honor into it,’ and I don’t see 


The Initiations 


71 


why we all shouldn't have some chance to 
add our tiny scrap to the splendor. I 
know I shan’t ever do much — only common- 
place, humdrum things, but if I can come 
at last with the least, tiniest bit of a radiant 
snip to add to the glory and honor. I’ll be 
more than satisfied.” 

She broke off suddenly, smiling a wistful 
smile at the two others. 

“I oughtn’t to envy you, but I do,” she 
said, softly. ^‘You’ll both come in simply 
glittering, and I’ll have to brag that you’re 
my near relatives. I’m such an ostentatious 
beast that I’d have to show off even there.” 

Patricia!” gasped Judith, shocked out 
of her dreamy calm. ^^You oughtn’t 
to say things like that. It’s — ^it’s not 
religious!” 

Patricia dropped back instantly to her 
usual manner. 

^^Well, anyway, I’m fearfully hungry,” 
she said airily. ^^I can’t stand any more 
palaver. Come along to the cave and let 
us feed while there is time.” 

Luncheon was particularly gay, much to 
Judith’s delight. Margaret Howes joined 


72 


Miss Pat at School 


them, and Griffin with a kindred spirit 
had the next table. Doris Lfeighton, the 
pretty girl whom Patricia had so ardently 
admired on her first day and who had not 
been visible since then, appeared without 
her pale companion, and took the table on 
the other side of them, and when Margaret 
Howes, at Patricians entreaty, introduced 
them, she brought her chair over to their 
table and made one of their merry party. 

Judith was silent for the most part, but 
her eyes glowed like live coals and she kept 
tossing her pale, straight mane in the way 
she had when pleasantly excited. 

'^Well, what do you think of Bohemia?^^ 
asked Griffin, as they climbed the narrow 
iron stair again, the time having come for 
Judith to say good-bye. 

Judith was equal to the occasion, as usual, 
like it better than the land of the 
Amorites and the Hittites,’’ she responded 
so promptly that the other gaped. 

“Upon my word, you^re a classy young 
^\m” she grinned. “Come again soon and 
give us some more.’^ 

Patricia as she carried Judith off to the 


The Initiations 


73 


dressing room for her wraps, was moved to 
inquiry. 

^^How in the world could you answer her 
so pat?^’ she asked, twinkling at Judith’s 
superior air. 

^^Oh, I heard you say this morning that 
outside people were Philistines, and when I 
tried to look it up in the Old T^^tament, 
I read a lot of hard names, and I remem- 
bered them,” she said, triumphantly. 
didn’t think, though, that I’d be able to 
use them so soon.” 

Patricia shook her head. 

“You certainly are the limit,” she said, 
gravely. “What makes you care so much 
about words and names and such like 
things?” she asked, trying to get at a 
clearer understanding of her little sister’s 
mental processes. 

Judith was entirely unconscious of the 
probe. 

“"Why, because they’re the very nicest 
things in the world, of course,” she replied 
spiritedly. “I love to get new ones and 
see how they work. It’s such fun. Like 
archery practice, when you hit the bull’s 


74 


Miss Pat at School 


eye. Only words are somehow different, 
too. They sort of taste when you say 
them — sometimes sweet and sometimes 
tingly and queer, like the Amorites and 
Hittites,’^ and she giggled at the memory. 

Patricia shook her head. 

“Don’t go tasting too many new ones 
around here/’ she cautioned with a kiss. 
“You might hit on the wrong one, and they 
wouldn’t understand that it was merely 
a game with you.” 

“Well, I just guess it isn’t any game,” 
retorted Judith with a toss of her mane. 
“It’s the most important thing in life to 
me,” and she stalked off towards the door 
with great dignity. 

Patricia groaned as she watched her walk 
primly down the corridor and out of the 
side entrance. “That infant,” she said to 
Elinor who had been leaving Judith out, 
“is trembling on the brink of becoming 
a little prig. We’ve got to see to it, Norn, 
that she doesn’t get too satisfied with her- 
self.” 

“I don’t believe she’ll get spoiled,” 
returned Elinor, easily. “She is clever. 


The Initiations 


75 


you know, and I think it’s rather nice that 
she can enjoy it a bit. She isn’t pretty, 
and it makes up to her for that.” 

the same,” said Patricia, darkly, 
^^she needs to drop a peg in her ot\ti esteem. 
Conceit is mighty crippling to the runner in 
the race that Ju’s picked out for herself. 
I’d hate her to be a fizzle, and I’m going 
to see to it that she gets rid of it.” 

^^Very well; only don’t be too hard on 
her,” said Elinor, easily. ^^Come help me 
with the candy for the night life, won’t 
you? I can’t get it in shape.” 

^^Lots of time for it,” said Patricia, 
yawning and flinging herself down on the 
wide couch. ‘^The men aren’t through in 
there for more than an hour yet.” 

^^But I’ve got to get it tied inside the 
lantern while no one is about,” insisted 
Elinor. ^ ^ And the hall is absolutely deserted 
now. Come along, do, and be useful.” 

Patricia, protesting, dragged herself from 
the restful nest, but by the time they had 
begun to arrange the gay little bags of 
candy in the big red Japanese lantern, she 
was as enthusiastic as Elinor could wish. 


76 


Miss Pat at School 


^^Aren^t the bags perfect ducks?^’ she 
laughed, handling the gauzy bundles with 
dexterous fingers. And those verses are too 
cute for words. What a time we all had 
over them! Ju^s are the best, though she 
mustn^t know it; funny without being 
personal. It was terribly hard to get such 
a mob, too. How many are there alto- 
gether, Norn?^^ 

^ ^ Seventeen, ^ ^ replied Elinor, counting, 
hope it will work all right when I pull 
the string. IVe fixed the bottom of that 
lantern so it ought to fall out when I give 
a hard jerk, and all the bags will tumble 
down in a shower. 

You can^t try it, of course,’^ said Patri- 
cia. ^^But I^m dead certain it^U be all right. 
What is the matter?^’ she asked, looking 
up as the door of the life room opened and 
the men began to come out carrying their 
canvases and drawing-boards as though 
the pose were over. ^Ht can’t be four 
o’clock, surely. Ju hasn’t been gone a 
half hour.” 

Naskowski, on his way to the modeling 
room, paused to answer Patricia’s question. 


The Initiations 


77 


There iss a demonstration in the living 
anatomy, for all students — a man who can 
dislocate his joints at will and do other 
methods of showing muscle action,’’ he 
explained. ^^So the life iss dismiss. You 
will come — not?” 

Patricia and Elinor exchanged a swift 
glance. 

We’ll be along in a little while,” replied 
Patricia easily. ^^Save a seat for us if you 
can.” 

When he had moved on she whispered 
excitedly: 

Now’s your chance, Norn ! I’ll skirmish 
for laggards and report.” 

She came back in a moment, triumphant. 

There isn’t a soul in sight,” she an- 
nounced. Hustle while the coast’s clear. 
Someone may come back at any moment.” 

They hurried into the deserted room, and 
with eager haste they swung the big lantern 
up to the circle of electric fixtures above 
the model stand, the stout cord that Elinor 
had fastened to its bottom hanging con- 
cealed among the drapery of the screen that 
stood behind the model’s chair. 


78 


Miss Pat at School 


all ship-shape now” whispered 
Patricia as they scrambled down from the 
stools whereon they had perched to accom- 
plish their purpose. '^Aren’t we in luck? 
Not a soul even saw us come in.’^ 

“Now for a sight of the dislocated gentle- 
man/^ said Elinor gayly. “And then for 
the great event.^’ 

The anatomical wonder appealed to 
them so little that they gave up the seats 
that the kind Slav had saved for them, and 
went out, rather sickened by such limber- 
ness, to wait the gong of the night life in 
the seclusion of the print room. 

The hall and corridor were dim and the 
circle of lights above the model stand was 
twinkling brightly when Patricia peeped in 
at the crack of the door during the first rest. 

“Nothing seems to be happening,” said 
Elinor to her in an undertone as she joined 
her. “I believe FU wait till later, unless 
I see signs of action.” 

“DonT keep me hanging on here in the 
dark too long,” protested Patricia. “I^m 
worn to a bone already.” 

When she returned to her post after a 


The Initiations 


79 


brief nap on the wide couch, everything 
was quiet, much to her disgust. 

^^Why in the world doesn’t Elinor loosen 
up?” she thought, impatiently. 

As she moved nearer she gave a start of 
surprise. The lights in the night-life room 
were out. The transom showed black and 
empty above the massive folded doors. 

Patricia drew" in her breath with a gasp. 
She put her hand on the knob of the door 
and noiselessly turned it. 

slip in behind the door screen,” she 
thought, ^^and see what’s going on. Elinor 
may need me.” 


CHAPTER V 


THE GHOST DANCE 

HE room was very dark at first, and 



little whispers ran all about in the 


gloom. There was a rustling and 
shuffling and a sound of hurried, muffled 
steps. Patricia, from her hiding place 
behind the door screen, could make out 
nothing but the dim oblong of the transom 
above her head and the long pale mass of 
the skylight. 

Suddenly a match ffared and the twin- 
kling tip of light grew at a candle end and 
she saw a ghostly figure, its white hand 
busy with the candle wick and its hollow, 
black eyes fixed on the tiny growing flame. 
Instantly other matches flickered and more 
candles glimmered in ghostly fingers, until 
the room was flashing with tiny points of 
light, while the masses of heavy shadow 
trembled and surged about an array of 
white-clad, mysterious, skull-faced figures 


( 80 ) 


The Ghost Dance 


81 


that slowly formed in line and, two by two, 
moved to the center of the room, chanting 
a low, monotonous song as they walked 
in solemn procession. 

“My word!^^ breathed Patricia, stirred 
and chilled in spite of herself. “They’re 
doing it brown this time!” 

As her eyes grew accustomed to the 
flicker and motion, she searched for Elinor, 
and saw her at last, the center of the weird 
procession, standing quietly beside the chair 
from which she had risen, holding her head 
with a sweet and gracious dignity that 
went straight to Patricia’s chilled heart. 

“Dear old Norn,” she thought with a 
returning glow. “They can’t scare her, 
bless her heart!” 

Elinor stood smiling a little at the grue- 
some company as they slowly paced about 
her in a narrowing circle, and when the 
leader took her hand and led her to the 
model stand, motioning to her to mount it, 
she acquiesced with graceful alacrity. 

Standing high above them in the semi- 
gloom, with that faint smile still on her 
lips, she watched them calmly as they 


82 


Miss Pat at School 


danced the famous Ghost Dance of the 
Academy about her, omitting no gruesome 
detail that would be calculated to affright 
the dismayed beholder, chanting and groan- 
ing horribly the while. 

At a sign from the leader the dance 
stopped as suddenly as it had begun, and 
the leader once more approached Elinor, 
followed by four of the foremost ghosts. 

They mounted the platform and, seating 
Elinor in the chair, filed before her, present- 
ing one after another a grisly hand and 
cadaverous cheek for her salute. 

^^The horrid things!” murmured Patricia 
to herself, with her wrath beginning to rise. 
^^I^d pinch their noses for them if they made 
me kiss them! Elinor’s too gentle with 
them. I wonder why she doesn’t pull the 
string? She could reach it easily now.” 

But Elinor, far from showing rancor, 
shook the bony hands and kissed the 
sunken cheeks with as good grace as though 
she were receiving her dearest friends. 
She even made some little speech to each, 
though Patricia was too far away to catch 
more than a word or two. 


The Ghost Dance 


83 


Her sweetness of temper, nevertheless, 
did not seem to appease the ghosts, for, 
when the ceremony of salutation was 
finished, the four seated themselves cross- 
legged on either side of her, while the leader 
proceeded to catechize her. 

^^What is you name?” she asked, in a 
high, squeaking voice that Patricia failed 
to recognize. 

Elinor responded promptly. 

Where do you live?” was the next 
question, to which Elinor again replied 
good-naturedly. 

^^Pooh! they’re as stupid as the rest,” 
thought Patricia contemptuously, and she 
let her attention wander, studying the 
various ghosts, making mental notes as 
to height and size for future reference. 

She was brought back to the center of 
interest by a sharp hiss from a ghost on 
the edge of the assembly and a muffled 
cry of ^^No fair!” from another nearer 
the stand. 

The leader raised a grisly hand and 
swept the assembly with her cavernous 
eye sockets. 


84 


Miss Pat at School 


repeat/^ she piped, turning to Elinor 
with a jerky bow, repeat my ques- 
tion. Why were you admitted to our class 
without having worked in any antique or 
life classes before?” 

^^Oh, that’s too personal,” said a ghost 
in a disgusted tone. protest! This 
isn’t a Board meeting.” 

There was a general murmur of laughter 
at this, but the leader stood rigid, awaiting 
Elinor’s reply. 

have told anyone who asked me,” 
said Elinor, evenly, though her cheeks 
were beginning to bum. came in on 
Bmce Haydon’s recommendation.” 

There was a rustle of approval at her 
quiet tone and a stir as of the assembly 
breaking up, but again the leader motioned 
for silence. 

^^The other four sisters will make their 
investigation after I have finished,” she 
announced in her shrill tones. “I have 
but three more questions to put to the 
novice.” 

There was a silence that made the next 
question come with more insulting force, 


The Ghost Dance 


85 


while Patricia again wondered why Elinor 
did not seize this moment for her broad- 
side of bonbons. 

^^How much/’ squeaked the leader, more 
shrilly than ever, ^^did Bruce Haydon 
bribe the Board to let you in?” 

Instantly there was a storm of hisses and 
protests; the four next inquisitors jumped 
to their feet and down from the model 
stand with one motion, crying that it was 
a shame that the fun was spoiled and 
that they had all had enough for one 
night. 

“Initiation’s over!” shouted someone in 
a voice of authority, and suddenly the 
candle-lights vanished into a tumultuous 
darkness, while there was a confusion of 
scurrying noises that made Patricia’s head 
swim for a moment. 

Then the lights flashed on, and she saw 
clearly the disheveled, excited assembly 
hastily hiding bundles of white cloth in 
any available spot, while hair and dress 
were hurriedly arranged and order gen- 
erally restored. Elinor still stood on the 
model stand under the brilliant circle of 


86 


Miss Pat at School 


lights, her wide eyes gleaming and her head 
uplifted. 

haven’t been asked for a speech,” 
she began clearly. “But I do want to 
say a word or two, if you’ll let me.” 

She paused for some sign, and Patricia in 
her corner was delighted at the Babel 
which answered her. Cries of “Of course 
we will!” ^‘Dee-lightedr “Take aU the 
time you want!” mingled with applause 
and stamping, until Elinor could not for- 
bear a laugh. 

“I won’t wear out your patience,” she 
promised, as quiet was restored and her 
voice could again be heard. “I haven’t 
any oration to deliver. I only want to say 
that I don’t know who it was asked me 
those questions, and I hope I never shall 
know. You’ve all been very kind to me, 
and I’d hate to think that any of you 
wanted to make me uncomfortable. I’m 
sure it was simply an initiation stunt, and 
I for one shall never think of it again.” 

She paused with a bright, friendly glance 
on the upturned faces. 

“This is my real introduction to the 


The Ghost Dance 


87 


night-life class/ ^ she said, with a sweeping 
gesture that, unseen to all but the anxious 
Patricia, caught the cord from its hiding 
place among the draperies. ^^And I want 
this evening to be a sweet memory to 
us all.^’ 

She stepped aside with a swift move- 
ment, and the big red lantern swayed and 
threatened to topple as the cord tightened. 

“Why, what^s that?’^ cried a voice, and 
all eyes were turned to the gaudy swaying 
globe. Before anyone could speak, Elinor 
gave another hard tug, tearing out the 
bottom of the lantern, and down came the 
shower of gay little gauze bags with their 
cargoes of bonbons, pell-mell on the heads 
of the crowd! 

“Hallelujah! It^s the fee!^^ cried Griffin, 
with a green and gold packet in her hands. 
“Hurrah for Kendall Major! She^s the 
stuff !^^ 

“Verses, too!’^ cried Margaret Howes. 
“Verses on every one of them. Read them 
aloud, everybody in turn. Hurry up and 
get them all together. 

“Silence, will you?^^ shouted Griffin, 


88 


Miss Pat at School 


pounding like mad. ^^Keep still till the 
exercises are over. The first little girl to 
speak her piece is Miss Doris Leighton. 
Come up, Doris, dear. DonT put your 
finger in your mouth, and speak so we can 
all hear you. Fire away.” 

Patricia thought Doris Leighton looked 
pale as she stood up on the model stand 
to read the nonsense verse that was on her 
candy bag, but her loveliness wrought the 
same spell on the others as it always had, 
and they listened to her silvery voice in 
appreciative silence, and applauded her 
warmly at the end. 

One after another, the girls mounted the 
stand beside Elinor, and read the little 
verses, while the assembly listened, and 
even the model, decorously cloaked, came 
from her little room, and with her cro- 
cheting in hand sat smihng at the non- 
sense. 

When the last verse had been read and 
the laughter died down, Griffin raised her 
voice again. 

^^Nobody^s asked me for a speech,” she 
began and paused. 


The Ghost Dance 


89 


^^Didn^t think you had to be asked/^ 
came from the crowd in a laughing voice. 

Griffin looked sadly in the direction of 
the voice. 

“Nobody’s asked me,” she repeated more 
firmly, “and so I’m not going to make 
any. So there!” 

Groans of relief sounded from the side 
of the room whence the voice had come, 
and there was a general giggle. 

“I merely raised my voice above the 
general clamor,” Griffin went on with an 
icy stare towards her hidden critic, “to 
suggest that we show our appreciation of 
the delightful entertainment Miss Kendall 
has so thoughtfully provided us by giving 
her the Night Life Song, or the Academy 
Howl, whichever she prefers.” She bowed 
to Elinor with exaggerated politeness. 
“Which shall it be. Miss Kendall? Each 
is equally diverting, but the Howl has 
the merit of greater brevity. No extra 
charge for the choice, you know, so speak 
up and name it.” 

Elinor glanced about at the circle of 
laughing, friendly faces and her eyes shone. 


90 


Miss Pat at School 


choose the song/^ she announced, 
gayly. “IVe heard a lot of howling 
already this evening/^ 

'^The song it is,’^ cried Griffin, stepping 
on a chair and beginning to beat time 
with a big paint-brush. ^^Now then, all 
together, my children. Warble!” 

Patricia, thrilled by the sweetness of the 
rippling, crooning song, and before the 
verse was half done, joined imconsciously 
in with the others, forgetting the need of 
words in the melody of the lilting song. 

Creatures of the night are we, 

Sisters of the glow-worm dim, 

Comrades of the hooting owl. 

Toilers when the sunset’s rim 
Overflows with shadows deep; 

Harken to our even-song. 

Night it is that makes us strong.” 

The chorus swelled, with Griffin’s thrill- 
ing treble soaring high and clear: 

^‘Glorious night that makes us strong, 
Drowning day and ending strife; 

Guide the skilful hand and eye. 

Shape our efforts into life.” 


The Ghost Dance 


91 


Patricians heart beat hard with the beauty 
of the woven word and melody, and she 
gave a little gulp to keep back the tears 
that sprang so readily. 

didn’t dream those uproarious crea- 
tures could be so serious. I wonder where 
they got that song,” she said to herself as 
she slipped unnoticed out into the twilight 
of the corridor. 

She put the question to Griffin when she 
met her in the hall after the class had 
broken up in disorder to celebrate the 
initiation by a general gambol through the 
deserted halls and corridors. Patricia and 
Griffin were seating themselves on a draw- 
ing-board at the top of the short flight of 
stone steps that connected the back corri- 
dor with the exhibition rooms above. 

^^That? Oh, Carol Lawton wrote that for 
us before she left. She was a corker, I can 
tell you.” A shade flitted over Griffin’s 
face as she settled herself more firmly on 
the board. ^^She died last fall, and we’ve 
sung that song ever since. Ready now! 
Let her 

Away they sped down the stony stairs 


92 


Miss Pat at School 


with a great clatter of board and flutter of 
skirts, winding up at the bottom with a 
final heavy thump. 

^^Phew! ThaPs great cried Patricia, 
springing lightly to her feet. ^^It^s more 
like flying than anything else.’' 

^^Yes, it’s going some,” returned Griffin 
nonchalantly, as she started up the stair 
again, dragging the board after her. ^^The 
March Hare originated it back in the dark 
ages, and we’ve been doing it off and on — 
when the authorities don’t get on to us.” 

^^The March Hare?” queried Patricia, 
much elated by this exhilarating society, 
and wishing more ardently than ever that 
she were fitted for this fascinating class. 

Griffin nodded. “Tabby March, you 
know. The young woman who paints 
pussies. Used to go here three years ago, 
before she’d arrived. She was a wild one, 
I can tell you.” 

“Do you mean Elizabeth March, who 
' got the Tassel prize this year?” asked 
Patricia in surprise. “Why, I saw her 
last week at the exhibition and she was 
awfully prim looking.” 


The Ghost Dance 


93 


Griffin chuckled. “It's fame that tames 
them, mark my words. Soon's they get 
known they grow into a pattern. Ready 
now. Let her r-r-r-np.^" 

Elinor intercepted them at the bottom 
just as they were preparing for a third 
flight. 

“I've been looking for you everywhere, 
Miss Pat," she said radiantly. “There's 
going to be a spread in the cave, and I've 
phoned home to Judy not to wait for us, 
as we won't be there for dinner." 

“Am I asked?" demanded Patricia with 
eager eyes. 

“Of course, or I'd have sent word by 
you instead of phoning," said Elinor 
quickly. “Come along down, both of 
you. Everything is ready, and Margaret 
Howes is making Welsh rarebit just spe- 
cially for you — she heard you say you 
adored it. Hurry, hurry." 


CHAPTER VI 


AFTERMATH 


HE feast was half over when Pa- 



tricia, who sat between Margaret 


Howes and GriflSn and opposite to 
the adorable Doris Leighton, got a distinct 
shock. 

The girls had been talking of the ini- 
tiation and the part that Elinor had 
played. 

“Your sister has covered herself with 
glory by the way she took her hazing, 
said Margaret, deftly winding a long string 
of the rarebit around a bread stick and 
popping it in her mouth. 

“She certainly saved us from a fluke by 
the nice fashion in which she turned the 
popular attention from that idiot who was 
leading the band,” added Griffin, reaching 
for the mustard. 

Patricia longed to ask a question, but 
Margaret Howes saved her the necessity. 


( 94 ) 


Aftermath 


95 


^^Who was it, do you know, Griffin?’^ 
she inquired in a lowered tone. 

^^Can^t be certain, of course, but I have 
my doubts,’^ replied Grifhn, in the same 
pitch. think that I recognized the 

silvery tones of a fair one who is not too 
far away from us,” and she glanced signifi- 
cantly across the table to where Doris 
Leighton sat with the candle-light shining 
in her bright hair and a little smile curving 
her pink lips. 

Patricia caught the look, and was 
instantly both astonished and indignant. 

don’t see how you can think that!” 
she cried hotly, and then hastily lowering 
her voice, she added: ^^You must have 
knowm who they chose for leader, even if 
you both were at the tail of the march.” 

GriflBn grinned good-naturedly. ^^Keep 
your righteous wrath for the right fellow, 
young ’un. When you’ve been in the 
night life as many years as I have, you’ll 
know that we don’t choose a leader — she 
simply elects herself by taking the head of 
the procession. We never know who’s 
who after we rig up. That’s part of the 


96 


Miss Pat at School 


game. So, you see, it may have been the 
charming Doris, or Howes here, or my 
unworthy self, that put those obnoxious 
questions to your sister — ^no one knows 
for sure, and the mean cuss won^t tell.’^ 

^^Why should she want to be horrid to 
Elinor?’^ persisted Patricia, frowning a 
little in her earnestness. “We don’t know 
her very well yet, but she’s been perfectly 
sweet to us both.” 

“That describes her to a T, doesn’t it, 
Howes?” grinned the imperturbable Griffin. 
“That’s the way we find her — so sweet 
that she is sickening, eh?” 

“Hush, she’ll hear you!” warned Howes, 
laughing a little, nevertheless, whereupon 
Patricia instantly decided that she had 
been mistaken in Margaret Howes’ char- 
acter, and that she was less open-minded 
and warm-hearted than she had be- 
lieved. 

“I can’t see why you should pitch on 
her,” insisted Patricia, kneading her cake 
into pills in her agitation. “What could 
she have against Elinor?” 

Griffin yawned elaborately and then 


Aftermath 


97 


addressed Margaret Howes with lifted eye- 
brows. 

'^This young person, though evidently of 
an investigating turn of mind, has not 
quite fathomed the nature of the reigning 
beauty of our little coterie. Being of a 
candid and affable nature herself, she fails 
to comprehend how the fangs of the green- 
eyed monster, once fastened in the tender 
heart of said beauty, make the said beauty 
so mortally uncomfy that she’s bound to 
take it out on somebody — and who so 
natural or convenient as the critter who 
sicked the serpent on her.” 

“You mean that she is jealous of Elinor?” 
asked Patricia, opening her eyes very wide. 
“Why, Elinor is only a beginner, and she^s 
studied abroad!” 

“All the same, she sees that Kendall 
Major is about to snatch the laurel wreath 
from all our heads, and she doesn’t want to 
do without any of her ornaments.” 

“But Elinor didn’t even get a criticism 
in the head class yet,” protested Patricia, 
unconvinced. “Mr. Benton didn’t get 
around to her this morning, and she 


Miss Pat at School 


doesn^t get any criticism in the night life 
till tomorrow afternoon. I don^t see how 
she could be jealous.’’ 

Grifiin made a face over a sip of over- 
heated cocoa. ^^Just as you please,” she 
murmured benevolently. “Make the best 
of it, like a good child. Charity is the 
chief Christian virtue and an ornament to all. 
Are you going in for the prize design, Howes? 
I hear that it’s open to the whole class.” 

“Haven’t heard of it,” replied Margaret 
Howes, with eager interest. “What is it? 
And who’s giving it?” 

“Roberts, the big New York decorator. 
He’s offering a hundred dollars for the best 
design for a panel for a library — originality 
to be the chief feature. Popsy Brown told 
me. I thought it had been announced.” 

“It wasn’t on the bulletin board this 
afternoon,” said a girl across the table, 
who had been listening to this last speech. 
“Tell us about it, Griffie dear. We’re all 
dying to hear.” 

“Spout it out loud!” called another from 
the end of the table. “We can’t catch 
your muflfled accents down here.” 


Aftermath 


99 


The announcement of the prize was 
received with such lively interest that it 
routed all other subjects, and even Patricia 
caught the enthusiasm. 

hope Elinor tries for it,^^ she said 
excitedly. '^SheT say she^s too green, I 
suppose.^’ 

^^Tell her to make a hack at it anyway,’^ 
urged Margaret Howes earnestly. ^'Orig- 
inality is the thing that counts, and she’s 
got as good a chance as any of us there.” 

"Better,” said GriflSn tersely. "We’re 
so filled with other people’s ideas that wp’ve 
degenerated into regular copy-cats. I can’t 
imdertake any subject but that I have a 
lot of designs by famous painters popping 
into my mind and mixing me up horribly.” 

"I wish I could draw,” mused Patricia, 
absently sugaring her Frankfurter. "I’ve 
got tons of ideas already.” 

"That reminds me,” broke out Griffin. 
"There’s a prize for the mud larks, too. 
I’ve forgotten what it is, but it’ll be posted 
in the morning. There’s your chance, 
young ’un. You’re eligible for it.” 

Patricia was about to speak, but there 


100 


Miss Pat at School 


was a general stir and a voice cried, 
authoritatively: 

Eight o’clock. Time to break up! 
Three cheers for Kendall Major and her 
candy toys. The Academy Howl, ladies, 
if you please!” 

A space was hurriedly cleared at the 
other end of the table, a chair placed and 
Patricia saw Elinor, blushing and protesting, 
thrust into it by a dozen laughing students. 

Patricia stood to one side, as they formed 
a hasty group in the open space by the 
door, and, with Griffin beating time, 
stretched their mouths to the utmost and 
gave the Academy Howl with a vim that 
was deafening, drawing out the final deep 
growling notes to a weirdly wailing finish 
that sent Patricia and Elinor into gales of 
mirth. 

^^How in the world did you make up 
such an unearthly yodel?” demanded Elinor, 
preparing to descend from her chair of state. 

hope I’m not expected to answer in 
kind.” 

^^You don’t budge from there, young 
lady, till you’ve given us a song,” declared 


Aftermath 


101 


GriflSn, vigorously. know your dark 

secrets. WeVe heard that you can warble 
a bit.’^ 

Elinor sat down in surprise. “Oh, but 
I can’t,” she protested. “I can’t sing at all. 
Miss Pat ” 

A glare from Patricia stopped her, but 
it was too late. A chorus of laughing 
voices took up the demand, “A song. Miss 
Pat!” “Don’t be stingy, Kendall Minor; 
tune up!” “Give us a sample. Miss Pat!” 
until Griffin, with a bow, offered her arm 
to the rebellious Patricia and led her, pro- 
testing and abashed, to the chair whence 
Elinor had escaped. 

Once on the impromptu platform, Pa- 
tricia’s embarrassment dropped from her, 
and she smiled a ready acknowledgment to 
the shouts that demanded a dozen different 
songs at once. 

“I can’t sing them all at once,” she said, 
gayly. “But if you’ll settle on one that I 
know. I’ll do my best for you. You’ve 
given me an awfully good time tonight, 
and I’m only too glad to sing for you.” 

After a great deal of good-humored bick- 


102 


Miss Pat at School 


ering and sifting of requests to suit Patricia's 
repertoire, the tumult gradually quieted 
and Patricia rose. 

sing ^Mary of Argyle' first, and then 
a new little song, but it won't sound very 
well without any accompaniment," she said 
simply, and then, folding her hands before 
her and tilting her head like a bird, she 
began to sing, softly at first and then louder 
till her voice soared and rang echoing through 
the bare, empty rooms that flanked the 
lunch rooms. 

have watched thy heart, my Mary, 

And its goodness was the wile. 

That has made me thine forever, 

Bonnie Mary of Argyle.” 


Patricia's voice swelled and sank on the 
last lines of the old song, and the girls 
broke into hearty applause, which was 
startlingly reinforced from the doorway of 
the lumber cellar. The janitor's sallow 
face appeared from the gloom and his 
deep voice boomed an encore. 

“Fine! Fine!" he cried, nodding his 


Aftermath 


103 


head approvingly. '^That beats them all! 
My wife, she used to sing that song, and 
I liked it fine, but you beat them all!^’ 

Patricia blushed with pleasure, and 
Griffin called out heartily, Bring her in, 
Eitel. There’s going to be another!” 

As the janitor padded away to the 
domestic portion of the basement to fetch 
his smiling wife, Griffin added to Patricia, 
They’re an awfully good sort. You don’t 
mind, do you?” 

No, indeed ! ” cried Patricia. It’s sweet 
of them to like it!” 

Doris Leighton smiled at Elinor in the 
crowd and murmured a word of praise 
for the singing, adding, however, that she 
was afraid that the janitor could hardly 
appreciate it. 

“What’s that?” asked GriflSn, whose 
quick ear had caught the last words. “Not 
appreciate it? Why, do you know that 
Eitel used to be butler for Patti in his 
youth? Fie, fie, my child; likewise, go to.” 

Patricia caught her breath. “I hope 
he likes the next one,” she said anxiously, 
whereat Griffin chuckled. 


104 


Miss Pat at School 


^^Don^t be too scared/’ she said in a 
quick undertone. ^^It’s forty years since 
he served the Diva, and he only stayed a 
month. I merely exploited him musically 
to bluff off the Class Beauty. Hush! here 
they are, large as life. Now, warble your 
prettiest, for Mrs. Eitel really knows good 
stuff when she hears it.” 

So Patricia flung her whole self into the 
sparkling April Girl,” and at the finish 
had the reward of an ovation. The stu- 
dents clapped and the Eitels applauded 
with hands and feet, and cried Encore!” 
till they were red in the face. 

“I’ll sing just one more, and then I’ll 
have to stop,” she said with eager bright- 
ness. “My voice isn’t strong enough to do 
much, you know, though I’m awfully glad 
you like the songs.” 

So she sang another, a lullaby, that sank 
to its finish in flattering silence. Not a 
W’^ord was spoken as she stepped to the 
floor, but Elinor put out her hand and gave 
Patricia’s a hard squeeze. 

Mrs. Eitel broke the silence. “That 
music has made me strong,” she declared, 


Aftermath 


105 


beaming. These dishes I will now wash 
up for the reward of those songs. Go along 
now, young ladies, and think nothing 
about the disorder and the scrappishness, 
for it is I who will make them to come to 
order.^’ 

There were a few feeble protests, but Mrs. 
Eitel bore them down, and the students 
trooped off upstairs to their lockers and the 
dressing room, well pleased to escape the 
prosaic end to their fun. 

On the way home Patricia told Elinor 
of the suspicions that had been whispered 
about Doris Leighton’s part in the initia- 
tion, and, much to her satisfaction, Elinor 
was as indignant as she had been. 

can’t see how they can be so un- 
friendly to her,” she said warmly. '^She 
is so kind and agreeable. Of course, she 
doesn’t associate with everybody, but 
neither does Margaret Howes nor Griffin 
either, for that matter. So far from being 
jealous, she’s been specially sociable with 
me, and I felt quite flattered by it.” 

knew you’d feel just that way about 
it,” said Patricia, relieved and triumphant. 


106 


Miss Pat at School 


told them she^d been awfully sweet to 
us” 

think it more likely that it was GrifSn 
herself/' said Elinor with spirit. She's 
such a wild, harum-scarum thing, and she 
does love to tease." 

Patricia was silent, weighing this sugges- 
tion. They both broke into negation at 
once as they reached their own front door. 

^^It couldn't be Griffin," said Patricia 
earnestly. ^^She was too disgusted with 
it." 

^^No, I didn't really mean that," cried 
Elinor, repentantly. ^^It wasn't a bit like 
her teasing. Her's always has a good 
flavor." 

wonder who it could have been," they 
both murmured as they went upstairs to 
their rooms. 

Judith was deeply interested with their 
recital of the whole affair, and grew quite 
excited in the discussion as to the identity 
of the leader of the Ghost Dance. 

^^If I were there enough to know the 
different girls, I'd know who it was without 
much trouble," she declared. 


Aftermath 


107 


''How would you manage it, Sherlock?’^ 
asked Patricia. "Give us a hint of your 
method, and we may be able to locate the 
fiend ourselves.^^ 

Judith tossed her head. 

"Oh, you may laugh. Miss Pat. But 
all the same, IM know, I could tell by the 
httle things that you grown-ups don^t 
notice.^’ 

"Mercy, Judy!’’ cried Patricia in genuine 
consternation. "You mustn’t examine us 
all with your private microscope. It isn’t 
fair!” 

Elinor put an end to the discussion by 
pointing to the clock. 

"Do you see the hour, infants?” she 
demanded. "Tomorrow is a full day, and 
we must get to our beds. Toddle, Judy 
dear. If you aren’t asleep in ten minutes 
you’ll have to take a nap in the afternoon.” 

"Oh, but Miss Jinny’s coming at five, 
and David won’t leave till half-past four!” 
protested Judith, horrified at such a pros- 
pect, and beginning to scramble out of her 
clothes with lively haste. "And you 
promised to show me the night-life room, 


108 


Miss Pat at School 


too, when all the students were there and 
the model wasn't posing! Oh, dear Elinor, 
you're a very agitating person! I'm twice 
as wide-awake as I was a minute ago!" 

When Elinor and Patricia were alone, 
Patricia opened the subject that had been 
occupying her thought for the last few 
minutes. 

“You'll try for that library panel prize, 
won't you, Norn?" she asked, pleadingly. 
“GriflBn and Margaret Howes both say 
you ought. I know you could do something 
worth while." 

Elinor paused in her hair brushing, and 
sank down on the stool, absently propping 
her chin on her brush. 

“It doesn't seem worth while," she 
began, but Patricia broke in impatiently: 

“You never know what you can do till 
you try. I'd try for anything I was eligible 
for, if I couldn't draw a stroke, just to be 
in with the rest." 

Elinor smiled and pulled Patricia down 
beside her on the stool. 

“Don't be too hard on your lazy old 
sister. Miss Pat," she said with a kiss. 


Aftermath 


109 


promise to go in for it if you won’t 
scold any more. If I disgrace the family, 
you mustn’t cast it up to me.” 

Patricia tossed her bright head scorn- 
fully. 

^Disgrace!’ ” she repeated hotly. ^'Why, 
do you know, Elinor Kendall, that they’re 
all saying already that you’re a wonder?” 
Then with a swift change, she broke into 
a giggle. ^^Wait till you lay eyes on my 
contribution to the modeling competition. 
You’ll have the treat of your young life 
then!” 

'^What’s it to be?” asked Elinor, releas- 
ing her and beginning to braid her dark 
hair. 

Don’t know,” replied Patricia gayly. 

Don’t care, either. Whatever it is, I’m 
going into it tooth and nail. I’ll show them 
that I’m on the turf even if I can’t win a 
ribbon.” 

Judith’s voice came plaintively from her 
room. 

^^I don’t think it’s fair,” she faltered. 
^^You girls keep chattering so I can’t go to 
sleep, and the ten minutes are up long ago.” 


no 


Miss Pat at School 


Bless your heart, Infant, youVe a martyr 
to our long tongues!’^ cried Patricia, jump- 
ing up and putting out the light. ^'Go to 
sleep now. We won^t chirp a single note. 
Good-night, and happy dreams 


CHAPTER VII 


David’s treat 

TF HAVEN’T had my criticism yet, and 
I if I don’t get it next pose, you’U 

^ have to go to the station without 
me,” said Elinor to the other two girls as 
she met them in the corridor the next 
morning. ^^Mr. Benton’s awfully slow, 
but I can’t miss this first criticism, you 
know.” 

^'David’ll be fearfuUy disappointed,” re- 
marked Judith dispassionately. “It’s his 
first family spree, and I think it’s your 
duty to go, Elinor.” 

“Oh, I’ll be through in time for the • 
luncheon” said Elinor, hastily. “But if 
I’m not out here by eleven-fifteen, you’d 
better start without me. I can meet you 
somewhere, or you all can come over here 
for me.” 

Doris Leighton, passing, stopped for a 
gay word with Patricia and Judith as they 
( 111 ) 


112 


Miss Pat at School 


loitered in the hall. She made a laughing 
little gesture of envy when she heard their 
program for the day, which Patricia, eager 
to make amends for the unspoken slight 
upon her, poured out generously. 

^^What fun it will be,^’ she said, with the 
faintest tinge of sadness in her lovely 
voice. ^^It must be splendid to have a 
brother! I have always so longed for one.^^ 
Patricia caught herself in the act of offer- 
ing her a share in David Francis, but re- 
membering his cold criticism of other 
attractive girls in the past, closed her lips 
in time. 

We didn^t have one till this winter, ” she 
said cheerfully. “So I guess we appreciate 
him for all he^s worth.^^ 

Doris Leighton’s pretty eyes widened. 
“What in the world do you mean?” she 
asked with such real interest that Patricia 
gladly rushed into the tale of the kidnaping 
of her five-year-old twin brother, and how 
he had been given up as dead for all the 
long years until the chance discovery of his 
identity revealed him to them at the very 
time when they were most in need of him. 


David’s Treat 


113 


She did not dwell on the financial reinforce- 
ment that he brought to them, feeling 
instinctively that the knowledge of their 
straitened means would lower them in 
Doris Leighton’s estimation, but drew a 
lively picture of the jolly Christmas party 
they had had at Greycroft, and the happy 
future they were looking forward to in their 
life together. 

“He’s at Prep now, but he’ll enter Yale 
next year,” she ended proudly. “He’s 
awfully clever, though he doesn’t show it. 
He behaves just as siUy and stupid as other 
boys most of the time.” 

“He must be a nice boy,” returned the 
Class Beauty, with lagging interest and a 
shade of condescension in her manner. 
“Of course, he’s young yet. I thought he 
was Kendall Major’s twin.” 

Judith, who had been scanning her nar- 
rowly, opened her eyes at this, and asked 
innocently, ^'Is that why you thought 
you’d like him? Because he was older 
and more grown-up?” 

Doris Leighton laughed a rippling laugh 
that had no shade of the annoyance which 

8 


114 


Miss Pat at School 


Patricia felt rise hotly at Judith^s rather 
pert question. 

Bless you, no, child,” she said lightly, 
merely thought he would be more apt 
to be like your oldest sister, whom I admire 
tremendously, as everyone knows.” 

Patricia could scarcely wait till Miss 
Leighton was out of earshot. 

^^What in the world made you so dis- 
agreeable?” she demanded of the uncon- 
cerned Judith. ‘^Any blind bat could see 
Chat you wanted to be nasty, in spite of 
your namby-pamby airs.” 

Judith merely smiled her superior smile, 
know more about Miss Doris Leighton 
than you think,” she said, nonchalantly. 
‘^Her little sister is in my class at school, 
and I just got acquainted with her yester- 
day.” 

Patricia stamped her foot in vexation. 
^^What do you mean?” she cried. ^^YouVe 
the most exasperating ” 

The words died on her tongue, as Elinor 
suddenly emerged from the portrait class 
door, her face radiant and with an exclama- 
tion of quick pleasure at the sight of them. 


David’s Treat 


115 


got my criticism! And he said the 
work was good! Now I can write to Bruce/’ 
and her voice rang with a thrilling note of 
joy that carried Patricia with her. 

“Good old Norn!” she cried, with a 
mighty hug. “I told you that you were 
the real stuff! Ju and I are mighty proud 
of our big sister, aren’t we, Ju?” 

Judith caught Elinor’s hand, and pressed 
close, silently adoring. 

“You girls are angels to wait for me till 
the very last moment,” chatted Elinor, 
stuffing her things into her locker recklessly. 
“I hated to run the risk of not going to the 
station, but, oh, it was worth it!” 

Patricia watched her with studious eyes 
as she pinned on her hat and hurried into 
her wraps, holding forth the while in an 
exultation most unusual to her. 

“You’re ^fair lifted,’ aren’t you, Norn?” 
she asked curiously. “I didn’t know you 
ever got so daffy over anything. I’ve never 
seen you if you have.” 

Judith looked wise. “I know how she 
feels,” she declared, sagely. “I get awfully 
excited when I write something good. 


116 


Miss Pat at School 


Why, sometimes I cry, I'm so happy about 
it, and I jump up and down, too, all by 
myself." 

Patricia grinned. ^^You two geniuses 
understand each other, I see. Might a 
humdrum mortal remind you that David 
is just about sliding into the train shed at 
this moment?" 

Mercy! Are we so late?" exclaimed 
Elinor, remorsefully. Hurry, Judith. 
Don't wait for me. I'U catch up to you 
before you get to the corner." 

Off they raced, and came panting into 
the station, to find the express ten min- 
utes late, and David just stepping from 
the platform of the still moving line of 
cars. 

Patricia, who denounced recklessness in 
others, flew to meet him with loud 
reproaches, regardless of the thronging 
crowd of undergraduates that were nimbly 
springing off after him. 

^^You ought to be ashamed of yourself, 
David Carson!" she cried, her big gray eyes 
alight and a pretty flush on her cheeks. 
'^You'll simply kill yourself some day, that's 


David’s Treat 


117 


what you'll do! Why can't you wait till 
it stops?" 

David, grinning broadly, cast a rather 
sheepish glance at the hurrying throng. 

^ ^Fellows were in a hurry," he explained 
good-naturedly, as he shook hands with a 
grip that made her wince. ^^Couldn't 
keep you girls waiting, anyway. Hullo, 
Elinor, how's the artist lady? Hullo, 
kid, give us your paw. Don't need to ask 
you how you are — ^you look out of sight," 

Judith as she kissed him was wrinkling 
her smooth brows at him. '^But I thought 

you were going to bring Tom Hughes " 

she began, hesitatingly. 

David burst into a laugh. '^Blest if 
I didn't forget all about Tommy," he cried, 
turning to search the platform with eager 
eyes. ''He's here somewhere, but he's a 
shy youth and I guess he was afraid you'd 
want to kiss him, too, Judy. Oh, there he 
is. Hullo, Tommy! Step lively, please!" 

A tall dark-haired youth in a gray suit 
and overcoat, who had been standing with 
his back to them a short distance away, 
turned and showed a pleasant, homely face 


118 


Miss Pat at School 


with two very lively eyes and a wide, firm 
mouth. 

^^This is the famous Hughes Junior,’^ 
said David, introducing him to them col- 
lectively. '^Collector of dead bugs, and 
trouble generally. He looks mild, but you 
want to watch him.’^ 

Hughes Junior chuckled, in a slightly 
embarrassed fashion. 

^^Don’t give me away too hard,’^ he said, 
in an agreeable voice. haven^t taken 
any of your bugs yet. I won’t tell on him. 
Miss Kendall,” he added with an admiring 
glance at Elinor, “although I could make 
you shudder with tales of his dark deeds.” 

“Now, don’t let’s waste time, ’’said David 
briskly. “Where are we bound first? 
How about taking a peep at the art-joint? 
Do you allow visitors in the morning?” 

“Do you really want to go?” asked 
Patricia, beaming. “The modeling room’s 
open, and you can always see the antique.” 

“Let’s look them over then,” returned 
David, promptly. “We aren’t keen on 
antiques — got too many in our boarding- 
house, but we want to see what you’ve 


David’s Treat 


119 


been up to, Miss, so lead on. Tommy here 
does not care much for female pursuits, but 
he^ll have to put up with it for once.^’ 
Female!^’ cried Patricia. “I hke that! 
There are as many men as there are girls, 
aren’t there, Elinor? You’re shockingly 
ignorant, young man.” 

They started off, leaving Tom Hughes 
and Elinor to follow, and Judith, as she 
cast a searching backward glance at David’s 
chum, whispered to Patricia that he must 
be very nice and sociable for he seemed just 
as much at home with Elinor as if she’d 
been another boy. 

'^Think he’ll do for that future helpmeet 
you’re expecting to turn up any old day, 
Judy?” Patricia mischievously whispered 
back. 

Patricia j he’ll hear you!” gasped the 
scandalized Judith. 

^^What are you two mumbling about?” 
demanded David, shouldering his way 
through the assembly at the station door. 
^^No fair talking secrets today. I’ve got 
to be in everything that’s going on. ’Fess 
up now, Judy, you were complaining that 


120 


Miss Pat at School 


Tommy^s nose was too long for the hero of 
your next novel, weren^t you?’^ 

never said a word about his nose,’’ 
cried Judith, relieved to evade the real 
topic. “I’d be more polite than to criticize 
his linny-ments like that.” 

Patricia joined in David’s peal of laughter. 
“Shades of Hannah Ann defend us!” she 
cried, gayly. “Don’t spring any more 
bombs like that on us. Infant. We’ve 
got to last till lunch time, anyway.” 

“Lunch time!” repeated David, warmly. 
“I’m aiming to survive till at least five 
minutes after! Think of aU the good things 
we’re going to massacre. Where does 
Elinor want to go. Miss Pat? She didn’t 
nominate it in her note!” 

“We all want to go to the same place 
we had such fun in last spring, when we 
thought we were so rich,” said Judith 
quickly. “Elinor said you were to have 
first choice, though, as it was your treat.” 

“Litz-Tarlton, wasn’t it?” asked David. 
“ 0. K. for me, and Tommy is a good-natured 
brute, who doesn’t care where he feeds, so 
that he feeds” 


David’s Treat 


121 


They found the usual array of aproned 
students in the corridors and work rooms, 
and although the boys tried to be enthu- 
siastic it was plain that the famous Academy 
did not appeal to them very strongly. 

“Pretty smelly sort of a place, isn’t it?” 
said Tom Hughes to Patricia, with great 
cheerfulness. “I suppose you get awfully 
mussed up with that clay, too. Isn’t it 
hard to work in?” 

Patricia, though a bit disappointed, felt 
delightfully superior as she replied loftily, 
^Ht isn’t so bad. We don’t mind, you 
know, because we’re so interested in the 
work.” 

They all stood around on the sloppy 
floor of the clay room as she undid the moist 
wrappings of her half-finished head. As 
the cloths were laid aside, there was a 
disheartening silence. 

“It looks sort of whopper-jawed, doesn’t 
it. Miss Pat?” asked David, hesitating. 
“I can see it’s going to be a stunner when 
it’s done, but I guess I’m weak on sculpture 
anyway. I can’t understand it in the green 
stage.” 


122 


Miss Pat at School 


looks like a foreigner, all right, 
ventured Tom Hughes, and was rewarded 
for his courage by a flash of passionate 
gratitude from Patricians big gray eyes. 

^^He^s a Russian refugee,’’ she said, 
triumphantly, and as she quickly covered 
her work again, and they passed out through 
the little side entrance, she told them the 
tragic scrap of the model’s history that had 
sifted through the gossip of the work 
room. 

see why Judy is so keen on the fine 
arts just now,” teased David as he dropped 
into step again. ^^Lots of material for 
current fiction, eh, Ju?” 

But Judith maintained a discreet silence, 
and David and Patricia fell into talk of 
school and study till the door of the great 
hotel swung wide to admit their little 
party. 

say, this is fine!” declared David, as 
he looked about him in the palm-shaded, 
pink and gold dining-room. Beats our 
refectory at the Prep, doesn^t it. Tommy 
old boy?” 

Hughes made a careful inventory of the 


David’s Treat 


123 


delicate china and sparkling silver before 
he delivered himself. 

“I haven’t had a sample of the food yet/’ 
he said, gravely, ^‘but if it comes up to the 
equipment. I’ll be perfectly satisfied.” 

Patricia and Elinor, who, with Judith, 
had put on their best for the little spree, 
were in the highest spirits and were de- 
lighted with everything, remembering many 
of the chief features of the room and 
pointing them out to each other until 
David protested. 

“I say, you needn’t rub it in that Tom 
and I are greenhorns,” he said, grinning. 

Don’t forget that once you were quite as 
unaccustomed to all this magnificence as 
we are now.” 

^^Listen to him!” exclaimed Patricia, 
gayly. ^^He’s been abroad for months in all 
sorts of grandeur, and he pretends ” 

She broke off suddenly at the swift 
remembrance of that futile search for 
health that had led the gentle Mrs. Carson 
to her grave in far-away Florence. She 
caught his hand under the table in a quick 
squeeze, while Elinor hurried into compari- 


124 


Miss Pat at School 


sons that claimed Judith’s and Tom’s close 
attention. 

^^I’m a horrid pig toforget,”she whispered 
contritely. Don’t be cross, Frad dear; 
you know how sorry I am.” 

David gave an answering squeeze that 
brought the tears to her eyes, as he whis- 
pered in return, That’s all right, old 
lady. Don’t you fret about me.” 

He dropped her hand at the obsequious 
voice of the waiter at his elbow. 

^^Do you wish to order, sir?” 

After the man had gone, Patricia, who 
had flushed, suddenly giggled. ^'Did you 
see him looking at us, Frad?” she asked, in 
an undertone. ^^He thought he’d caught us 
holding hands, like regular grown-up spoons ! ’ ’ 
Stuff and nonsense!” growled David, 
hotly. ^^He’d know better than that.” 

Nevertheless, in spite of his protest, 
David took great care to behave with the 
utmost frigidity to Patricia whenever the 
smiling waiter made his appearance, and 
instead lavished his care on Judith, who took 
on airs of importance that were delightful 
to behold. 


David’s Treat 


125 


caught our first view of Bruce 
Haydon here — ^remember, Norn?’’ said Pa- 
tricia, happily consuming her entree. 

Wouldn’t it be fun if we’d run across 
someone else this time?” 

don’t think so,” said David resolutely. 
“We haven’t such a lot of time to be 
together that we need anyone else butting 
in. I’m satisfied as we are.” 

“You must have had a thought wave, 
Miss Patricia,” said Tom Hughes. “The 
unexpected friend is here all right.” 

The girls swept a puzzled glance around 
the room, but could discern no familiar 
face among the gay groups at the many 
little tables. David, however, gave an 
exclamation, and half rose in his chair. 

“Sure enough. Tommy. It’s Hilton to 
the very life. Don’t you see him, Pat, 
coming in with that head waiter? Do you 
mind if we ask him to join us, Elinor? 
He’s coming right this way. He’s English 
Lit., and a dandy fellow, if he is a teacher.” 

Elinor gave a hasty assent, but Patricia 
was ardent. 

“Oh, do ask him, David,” she urged, 


126 


Miss Pat at School 


taking in the attractive athletic figure with 
its wholesome self-reliant air. ^^He looks 
awfully nice.^’ 

'^He^s all of that. He^s the youngest 
professor in the school and no end a 
good fellow/^ supplemented Tom Hughes, 
heartily. 

David half rose again, and signaled to 
attract the other^s attention, and when 
Mr. Hilton saw who was hailing him, a 
pleased smile ran over his face and he 
strode forward with outstretched hand. 

^^Well, this is luck!’^ he began, but 
paused, seeing the girls. “I'm in for a 
bit of lunch before the matinee, and I can 
only say ^ howdy.' Going to take in the 
miracle play at the Globe, — ^finest thing in 
town, they say. See you later, perhaps," 
and he bowed to them all, vaguely includ- 
ing the three girls in his kindly glance. 

“Not much you won't!" cried David. 
“You're going to have lunch with us — 
we've only just begim. I want you to 
meet my sisters. That is, if you haven't 
any other engagement," and here he snick- 
ered, for there was a rumor current in the 


David’s Treat 


127 


Prep that Hilton was secretly devoted to 
some unknown charmer. 

The insinuation fell harmless, as far as 
the young professor was concerned. 

shall be delighted, if you 11 be so good 
as to let me,’’ he said gratefully, with his 
sincere gaze on the festive group about the 
dainty table. 'H’ve heard of your good 
luck in finding your family, and am very 
glad to meet them.” 

A chair was brought and another lunch- 
eon ordered, and soon they were chatter- 
ing as gayly as though they had all known 
each other for ages. Elinor inquired for 
Mr. Lindley, who by chance had been Mr. 
Hilton’s room-mate at college, and heard 
that he was in France on his belated 
honeymoon. 

^^He expected to be married last fall, but 
there was a hitch in getting out his book,” 
said Mr. Hilton, as he finished his salad. 
^^So he couldn’t get away till last month.” 

^^We had a great interest in that book,” 
said Elinor smiling, 'Tor he was compiling 
it when he boarded with us last summer. 
I’m glad to hear it is out at last. We’ll 


128 


Miss Pat at School 


have to get a copy of it, for old times’ 
sake.” 

Tom Hughes, who had been surrepti- 
tiously glancing at his watch beneath the 
table cover, spoke reluctantly. 

^Hf you people don’t want to miss the 
first act, we’ll have to be toddling,” he ^ 
said. ^Ht’s about five minutes after two.” j 

“Where are you going, Kendall?” asked , 
Mr. Hilton as they pushed back their j 
chairs, and stood waiting for the last button 
on Judith’s glove to come to terms. “If | 
you haven’t settled on anything special, 
I’d like to have you all see the new play 
with me. It’s said to be the finest thing in , 
America, and I’m sure your sisters would 
enjoy it.” 

David acquiesced, as far as the play was ‘ 
concerned. “But you are not going to 
take us,” he said firmly. “This is my , 
spree and I can’t let any other fellow butt 
in. We’ll get seats together, and have a 
bully time, if you’re willing to go with us. 
Come, Judy, we’ll hustle on ahead and 
secure the seats, while these elderly folks 
stroll after us at their leisure.” 


David’s Treat 


129 


Patricia found Tom Hughes a very agree- 
able companion on the walk to the theater, 
and they discussed tennis and swimming 
with an ardor that was most exhilarating, 
while Elinor and Mr. Hilton kept up as 
best they could among the holiday crowds 
to the brisk pace that they maintained in 
the lead. 

The play was all that had been promised 
and they sat through its mystic "scenes with 
rapt attention, comparing notes enthusias- 
tically in the intervals when the curtain 
was down, and when it was over they came 
out into the daylight with that peculiar 
sensation of unreality in the daylight world 
that follows an enthralling matinee. 

Don’t the people seem funny-looking?” 
said Judith, blinking at the gayly dressed 
crush at the theater entrance. ^^They all 
seem like actors in a play, with the twinkly 
electric lights and the streaky yellow sun- 
set behind those big buildings.” 

They paused a moment on the corner 
for a look at the twilit streets with their 
white pulsing points of electric lamps 
flickering above the hurrying crowds, while 


130 


Miss Pat at School 


behind the sky line, with its towers and 
minarets and huge squares of office build- 
ings, the clear topaz of the winter sunset 
surged upward in the dimming turquoise sky. 

“There’s a picture for you, Elinor,” said 
David, pointing to the beautiful serrated 
mass of the great buildings looming misty- 
blue against the gold. “Can’t you remem- 
ber that, and put it on canvas when you 
get home?” 

Elinor made no reply. Her eyes were 
fixed on the lovely fading panorama of life 
that was shifting before them. The twi- 
light, the sunset, and the haunting magic 
of the miracle play still lingering with 
them, touched them all into sudden serious- 
ness, and they stood silent and intent, 
forgetful of the whirl of pleasure and traffic 
that swept about them. 

“See how the sunset catches on the big 
cross on the tower!” said Patricia softly. 
“It’s the only thing up there in the sky 
that answers the sun’s signaling.” 

“ ^ Light answering to light,’” quoted 
Mr. Hilton, and Patricia flashed an eager 
glance of appreciation at his earnest face. 


David’s Treat 


131 


After the young men had waved then- 
last farewells from the car windows and 
the train had puffed its way out of the 
great arching dome, Patricia spoke her mind 
with her usual frankness. 

“Tom Hughes is an awfully nice boy,” 
she said, shpping a hand into Judith’s 
and Elinor’s arm, as they paced the plat- 
form, waiting for Miss Jinny’s train. “But 
for pure, sheer adorableness, give me Mr. 
Hilton, every time. Don’t you think he’s 
a perfect diick^ Elinor?” 

Elinor laughed easily. “He seems to be 
very pleasant and he certainly is popular 
with the boys,” she admitted, “but I 
must say I like Tommy Hughes im- 
mensely.” 

“Which have you selected for your future 
partner, Judy? ” teased Patricia, turning to 
her little sister. “I saw your speculative 
eye upon them, and I knew you were 
weighing them well. Which is it to be — 
Tommy or the Prof?” 

“I’m getting too old to be treated like 
such a baby. Miss Pat,” said Judith with 
great dignity. “I wish you wouldn’t be 


132 


Miss Pat at School 


so silly! How could I marry an old per- 
son like Mr. Hilton, anyway?” 

^^Then it^s Tom,” cried Patricia delight- 
edly. wonder if he^ll mind being 

tagged. Shall you tell him his fate soon, 
Ju, or let him gradually waken to it?” 

Judith merely pursed her lips and tossed 
her head. “Don’t you think the train 
must be late?” she said to Elinor. “I do 
hope you can stay till Miss Jinny gets 
here.” 

“I have to leave in just five minutes,” 
said Elinor, glancing at the big illuminated 
clock face. “I can’t be late for criticism 
in the night life, you know.” 

They paced for a minute or two in 
silence, and then Patricia gave a little sigh. 

“Haven’t we had a gorgeous time?” 
she said, thoughtfully. “I didn’t realize 
that we could enjoy ourselves so much 
for such a long time. It’s been a whole 
month now, and getting nicer every day. 
We’ve been always so pinched that it 
seems almost wicked to be so careless 
about spending money, doesn’t it, Norn?” 

“I don’t feel that way,” said Elinor 


David’s Treat 


133 


gratefully. thankful every minute 

of the day for the happiness we have, 
and I feel that it has come to us from 
the same Lord that made the world full 
of beauty and joy.’’ 

Patricia gave her arm a quick squeeze. 
^^If we weren’t on a public platform, I’d 
kiss you for that, Elinor Kendall,” she 
said, ardently. ^^You make things so 
comfortable for me.” 

^^We don’t waste anything, anyway, 
and we do all we can to be nice to other 
people,” said Judith, seriously. ^'And 
that ought to count, oughtn’t it?” 

^^Like a charm to keep off ghosts,” 
laughed Patricia. Perhaps we ought to 
cross our fingers, Ju, when we remem- 
ber to. That might help, too.” 

But Judith was not attending. Her 
eyes were fixed on the far side of the 
great station. 

“Why, there she is!” she cried in sur- 
prise. “She must have come in on the 
wrong track! She’s looking all around 
for us. Do hurry, Elinor! I’ll run on 
ahead and tell her you’re coming.” 


CHAPTER VIII 


SMOOTH WATERS 

I declare, if you ain^t 
just the same,’^ said Miss Jinny, 
^ * as Patricia piloted her through 
the crowds to the cab-stand. 

Elinor, taking Judith with her, had said 
a hasty farewell and hurried off to the 
Academy for her criticism in the night 
life, with promises to return as soon as 
possible. 

Miss Jinny, in her fine, last-season^s 
dress, with the usual up-to-date hat on 
her scanty drab hair, and the twinkle of 
amusement at the continuous entertain- 
ment that life afforded her, was looking so 
well that Patricia voiced her wonder that 
she should have come to town for doctor- 
ing, as her letter had intimated. 

Miss Jinny chuckled huskily. Don’t 
you worry about that,” she said, myste- 
riously. ^^It ain’t my health. It’s some- 

( 134 ) 


Smooth Waters 


135 


thing I didn’t want to write on paper/’ 
and she tapped her upper lip suggestively. 

Patricia, noting the downy line that 
penciled the corners of her firm mouth, 
hesitated to put an inquiry that could 
be delicate enough to indicate the faint 
moustache without hurting Miss Jinny’s 
feelings. 

Uppers!” said Miss Jinny, wholly un- 
conscious of Patricia’s perturbation. 
^^Came in on the sly last week to have a 
new set made. Got measured for ’em, 
and am going to get them day after to- 
morrow. Thought I’d combine business 
with pleasure and make a visit while they 
were being filed to fit. I don’t reckon that 
dentist’ll hit them off first shot. They 
mostly never do, you know.” 

hope he doesn’t,” said Patricia, 
warmly. '^For then you’ll have to stay 
longer with us. And we’re going to have 
mch a good time!” 

In the taxicab she unfolded the plans 
for the week that Miss Jinny had promised 
them, dwelling on each detail with all the 
ardor of her enthusiastic nature. 


136 


Miss Pat at School 


Lands alive!” cried Miss Jinny, enjoy- 
ing herself hugely in prospect. haven^t 
the duds to do credit to such doings. Why, 
I^m all out of style, and you know it, 
Louise Patricia Kendall! You^U have me 
running into all sorts of extravagance, 
dyking out for your tea parties and such 
like fandangos.” 

The taxi stopped with a bump at the 
curb and Patricia sprang out, paid the 
man and joined Miss Jinny on the sidewalk 
before the door had opened to admit the 
little worn trunk that the driver shoul- 
dered with such ease. 

''Why, it^s a mansion for sure!” ex- 
claimed Miss Jinny, gazing with approval 
at the fine front of the tall, well-kept, 
brown-stone house. "I was so afraid 
you girls might be poked away in some 
stuffy street with never a tree or bit of 
sky to hearten you, but that parkas most 
equal to the real country.” 

"It was the park that brought us here,” 
said Patricia, leading the way upstairs to 
the spacious front room where Miss Jinny 
was to be domiciled. "And weTe so glad 


Smooth Waters 


137 


we came. Mrs. Hudson is so kind to us 
that we don^t feel like strangers at all. 
Even Ju adores her, and you know how 
hard she is to suit.’’ 

Who’s talking about me?” demanded 
Judith’s high treble, and they turned to 
see her in the doorway, silhouetted against 
the brilliantly lighted hall. 

Mercy, Judy, where did you drop 
from?” asked Patricia, startled. didn’t 
expect you for an hour. Is Elinor home, 
too?” 

Judith explained that although she had 
been so eager for a visit to the celebrated 
night life, she had tired of the loneliness of 
work hours, and had run off home, leaving 
Elinor still expecting her criticism. 

Besides, I wanted to see Miss Jinny,” 
said Judith, affectionately twining her arms 
about Miss Jinny’s waist. haven’t seen 
her for a whole month, you know.” 

Much to Patricia’s surprise. Miss Jinny 
seemed not at aU unused to the reticent 
Judith’s caresses, but stooped and kissed 
her on her white forehead, rumpling her 
pale hair with kindly fingers. 


138 


Miss Pat at School 


reckon you^re wanting to hear all 
about mama, and the visit you're going to 
make us,” she said, wisely. “I'll get my 
old trunk here unstrapped, and we'll talk 
while I lay out my duds in those nice wide 
bureau drawers. You'll laugh, I guess, 
when you see what I've brought you each, 
but I want you to promise that if you 
don't like them, you'll say so, and I'll 
hunt up something that pleases you 
better.'' 

“Oh, we'll be sure to love them, if they 
come from dear old Rockham and youP^ 
cried Patricia, gathering an armful of 
hangers from the deep closet for Miss 
Jinny's use. “I'm perfectly crazy to see 
them, aren't you, Judy? I do hope Elinor 
doesn't stay too late tonight. You don't 
mind waiting for her, do you. Miss Jinny? 
It'll be so much more fun when we're all 
together.” 

“Bless your heart, no indeedy!” replied 
Miss Jinny emphatically. “I'd rather 
keep them a week than to have you slight 
Elinor. We'll have time to take the edge 
off our tongues, anyhow, before she gets 


Smooth Waters 


139 


here, and get more settled down, I hope. 
I haven’t felt so flighty in a blue moon, 
and it’s all your fault, Patricia Louise Ken- 
dall, with your tales about theaters and 
parties and the like! We’ll have to put a 
muzzle on her, won’t we, Judith? — ^like poor 
old Nero after he nipped Georgie Smith 
when Georgie tried to make him walk the 
tight rope.” 

^^Oh, do tell me about it,” said Judith 
eagerly, settling down on a low stool beside 
the trunk. ^^Your stories are always so 
nice and nippy.” 

Miss Jinny laughed, as she shook out a 
creased skirt, and laid it carefully in the 
long lower drawer. 

reckon most of the nippiness in this 
tale is Nero’s work — ^not mine,” she said, 
smoothing the long folds of gray lansdown 
into shape with absent fingers. “You see, 
it was this way. Old Miss Fell, who lives 
in that big red brick house ” 

“Yes, I know,” said Judith, expectantly, 
but Miss Jinny had whisked to her feet and 
whirled about towards the door. 

“I saw you in the looking glass!” she 


140 


Miss Pat at School 


cried gleefully. ^^You needn^t think you 
can surprise us, young lady!^^ 

She had Elinor in her arms, to every- 
one's great amazement, and Elinor, far 
from being reluctant, was as responsive 
as though Miss Jinny were her own 
mother. 

“Oh, you^re just in time!^^ she cried, her 
cheeks flushed and her eyes shining with a 
great light of happiness. “You were Aunt 
Louise^s best friend here, and you^U know 
just how she’d feel. I got my criticism!” 
She paused, choking with emotion. “He 
came up behind me, and he stood there so 
long I was afraid to go on working; and 
when I stopped, he spoke out loud, twist- 
ing his moustache and popping off his 
eye-glasses.” 

“What did he say?” burst out Patricia, 
unable to bear the suspense. “Don’t beat 
around the bush so long, for pity’s sake, 
Norn!” 

“He spoke so loud I was ashamed,” 
went on Elinor. “He sort of bawled it 
out. ^Remarkable talent, madame, remark- 
able talent.’ And everybody turned around 


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141 


and looked at me till I felt like sinking 
through the floor.” 

''How perfectly heavenly!” exclaimed 
Patricia, with rapture. "I wish I’d been 
there to hear it.” 

"Your Aunt Louise will rejoice to see 
this day,” said Miss Jinny solemnly. "For 
I’m sure she sees it, wherever she is, and 
I know just how her dark proud eyes would 
shine. She always got regularly lighted 
up when she was real pleased — ^like you 
look now, child.” 

"Hannah Ann will be awfully proud, 
too,” said Judith, thoughtfully. "She’s 
regularly wrapped up in Elinor, because 
she’s so much like Aunt Louise, she says.” 

Elinor looked her surprise. "Why, I 
didn’t know Hannah Ann liked me spe- 
cially,” she protested. "I thought Miss 
Pat was her favorite.” 

"She used to be,” was Judith’s frank 
reply. "But since you’ve become an 
artist, like Aunt Louise, she fairly adores 
you!” 

The idea of Hannah Ann in any such 
state of loving frenzy was irresistible, and 


142 


Miss Pat at School 


they all pealed out their appreciation of 
Judith^s picture of the grim elderly house- 
keeper of Greycroft. 

^^You may laugh, but it^s true, all the 
same/’ said Judith decisively. ^^And I’ll 
prove it to you all before long — see if I 
don’t. 

The soft chimes of the dinner gong began 
their melodious call before anyone could 
answer, and in the mad scramble to make 
themselves presentable in the shortest pos- 
sible time, Hannah Ann’s enthusiasms were 
forgotten. 

That night, after Miss Jinny’s trunk had 
finally been disposed of, and all the gossip 
of Rockham village and outskirts had been 
thoroughly aired, and Miss Jinny, tired 
from her strenuous day, had gone thank- 
fully to bed, Patricia and Elinor were talk- 
ing over the day’s happenings as they 
brushed their hair in the seclusion of their 
own room. 

'Hsn’t it wonderful how Miss Jinny 
seems to fit in?” said Patricia, brushing 
the shining ripples till they fairly radiated, 
was so afraid that she might feel strange 


Smooth Waters 


143 


among such different sort of people, but 
she didn^t care a bit. She’s going to be 
awfully popular, if she keeps on. That 
nice old Mr. Spicer talked to her a lot at 
dessert, and he’s awfully exclusive, you 
know.” 

^^He isn’t any older than she is,” Elinor 
replied indignantly. ^'He’s gray and pale 
from his illness. He was asking Miss 
Jinny about the air at Rockham, and she 
praised it so that he was much impressed. 
We may have him for a neighbor next 
summer.” 

^^You don’t mean?” began Patricia, in- 
credulously. 

^^Of course, I don’t mean as Miss Jinny’s 
special property, you goose; I was only 
thinking of him as a pleasant addition to the 
old ladies’ card parties and porch teas, — 
they need men so badly.” 

The idea lodged in Patricia’s fertile 
brain was not so easily routed out. 

Still, in case” she insinuated with a 
giggle. don’t think it would be such a 
bad sort of thing, do you, Norn?” 

Elinor laid down her brush impressively. 


144 


Miss Pat at School 


“Patricia Kendall/^ she said, severely, 
“don^t ever let me hear you even whisper 
such nonsense to yourself. Miss Jinny is 
too nice and sensible to be made fun of in 
that way, and I won^t have it. Remember, 
once for all I won^t have it!^’ 

“All right,^^ acquiesced Patricia, meekly. 
“I didn^t mean to be silly. I^m a lot 
fonder of her than you are, and I was only 
thinking what fun it would be for her, don^t 
you see?” 

“I see that you are a feather-headed 
kitten,” said Elinor, not at all mollified. 
“Miss Jinny will do very well as she is with- 
out your romantic nonsense to mortify her. 
I^m ashamed of you, indeed I am, Pa- 
tricia. I thought you had more delicacy.” 

Patricia lifted her brows, perplexed and 
inquiring, and then dropped them with a 
shrug that seemed to indicate that the 
matter no longer interested her. 

“What are you going to do with that 
lovely old shawl she brought you, Elinor?” 
she asked, tossing the end of her long braid 
over her shoulder and yawning luxuriantly. 
“I^d like to make a party dress of that 


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145 


heavenly silk cloak I got, but it seems like 
cutting up one’s own grandmother.” 

Elinor gave a start. ^'Well, I declare, 
if I didn’t forget all about it!” she exclaimed. 
^^We were so excited with the presents and 
all, that I never told you! It’s going to be 
perfectly gorgeous. I know you’ll be crazy 
over it.” 

Patricia flung herself on her sister, over- 
whelming her in a flurry of pink kimono and 
white arms. “Tell me!” she cried. “Tell 
me this minute, you aggravating thing! 
You’re getting to be a regular miser of 
your news — ^you won’t give up till it’s 
dragged out of you. Speak, or I’ll have 
your life!” 

Elinor held her close, laughing with en- 
joyment at her ardor. 

“It isn’t anything to kill for. Miss Pat,” 
she rippled. “It’s merely the Academy 
ball that takes place next week ” 

Patricia flung off the encircling arms, and 
was on her feet in an instant. 

“And we are going?” she demanded 
breathlessly. “Oh, say that we are going, 
Elinor!” 


10 


146 


Miss Pat at School 


course we^re going/^ said Elinor, 
evenly. ^^What else should we do? And I 
want you to persuade Miss Jinny to stay 
over for it, Miss Pat.^^ 

“That will I!’’ cried Patricia, heartily. 
“ WeT ship Judy to Mrs. Shelly on an after- 
noon train, and make Miss Jinny feel it’s 
her duty to chaperone us among the wild 
and woolly artists. Oh, it will be con- 
temptibly easy! But,” and her face fell 
in dismay, “what are we to wear? We 
haven’t any party clothes, you know.” 

Elinor rose, and going to her bag that was 
still dangling from the chair back where she 
had flung it in her hurried preparation for 
dinner, took out a cardcase, and drawing 
forth three square bits of gray cardboard, 
handed them to Patricia. 

“ 'An Arabian Nights Entertainment,’ ” 
read Patricia, mumbling in her haste. “ ' No 
guests admitted unless in costume ’ . . . 
m-m-m-m . . . 'The Sultan Haroun-al- 
Raschid’ . . . Oh, I see! We can rig up 
in anything we choose, — so that it looks 
sort of Turkish. Dee-licious ! I know what 
to do with my rose-colored cloak right now!” 


Smooth Waters 


147 


shawl will be stunning/^ rejoiced 
Elinor. '' They've both come to us in the 
very nick of time. With that old silk skirt 
of mine, and that worn-out gold-beaded 
tunic of Aunt Louise's that we found in the 
closet at Greycroft, we'll be simply daz- 
zling. See if we're not, Patricia Louise 
Kendall." 

wonder what Miss Jinny will say to 
a costume?" Patricia said, her bright face 
clouding with the thought. 

believe she'll like it," declared Elinor, 
confidently. '^She does so love variety — 
and she has entered into everything already 
with such a vim." 

“Perhaps she's been hungering for what 
she calls fripperies," said Patricia, hope- 
fully. “She's so tremendously alive that 
she must need some play, and if she's only 
willing, we'll see that she gets it, won't we, 
Norn?" 

“Find out in the morning how she feels 
about it," said Elinor, switching off the 
light. “I'm pretty sure she'll want to go." 

At the earliest permissible hour, Patricia 


148 


Miss Pat at School 


slipped into her pink kimono and slippers 
and sped softly to Miss Jinny’s room, where 
she tapped lightly, and was admitted at 
once by Miss Jinny, fully dressed and with 
a little book in her hand. 

Patricia opened her plan with great 
expedition, pouring out explanation and 
entreaty in one excited rush, while Miss 
Jinny sat opposite her on the side of the 
bed, her rather protruding pale blue eyes 
cocked sidewise at her in the meditative way 
she had when deeply interested. 

'^So you see, we really need you. And 
you wouldn’t have to wear anything very 
outlandish, you know,” urged Patricia, end- 
ing up with her strongest argument. ^^And 
I’m sure Judy would love to be with Mrs. 
Shelly alone — ^they’d have so much more 
chance for talk together.” 

Miss Jinny said not a word for what 
seemed to Patricia a very long minute; 
then she gave her deep chuckle and said 
decisively, ^^I’U go as Sinbad the Sailor. 
I’ve a picture of him at home, and I know 
just how he’s dressed. He’s so everlastingly 
mufiSed up about his shanks that I used to 


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149 


think he was a lady when I was knee high 
to a grasshopper/^ 

Patricia gave a gasp. “But he wore a 
turban and great whiskers!’^ she said, 
impulsively. “How in the world could 
you stand that?’’ 

Miss Jinny cocked her head knowingly. 
“Trust me,” she replied, laconically. “I 
had a cousin who was an actor and I saw 
him put on a beautiful beard with spirit- 
gum and creped hair once. That was 
twenty years ago, but I reckon they can 
still be had here in town.” 

Patricia hesitated. “But perhaps you’d 
rather have an easier costume, — ^Aladdin’s 
mother, or ” 

Miss Jinny shook her head. “I always was 
bent on sea-life and I know a lot about it. 
I can swap tales that’ll make them believe 
I’m the only genuine Sinbad, and I wouldn’t 
miss the chance for a mint,” she said con- 
clusively. 

Patricia was forced to give in gracefully. 
“I know you’ll be splendid,” she declared 
with rather forced heartiness. wish we 
were as well fixed for our parts.” 


150 


Miss Pat at School 


Miss Jinny, with a glance at the little 
book in her hand, gave a guilty start and 
jumped up from the bed’s edge with a horri- 
fied face. 

“Do you know that it’s Sunday morning, 
and I ought to be reading my two chapters?” 
she demanded severely. “This town life 
is making me forget my religion already, 
and as for you, you worldly-minded 
young sinner, you ought to be ashamed 
of yourself, beguiling me with your 
heathenish dance parties. Go along 
now and let me get my mind in order 
again.” 

“Oh, let me stay,” urged Patricia. “You 
can read out loud, and I’ll slip in bed here 
to keep warm. What part are you reading 
now?” 

“You’U hear,” returned Miss Jinny, 
settling herself with a jerk. 

Patricia curled up cozily while Miss 
Jinny read the two Sunday chapters in a 
fuU, melodious voice, beginning with the 
ineffable words, “In my Father’s house are 
many mansions.” 

She laid down the little worn book just 


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151 


as the soft notes of the gong floated up from 
the lower hall. 

“Mercy on us!’’ she ejaculated, rising 
hurriedly. “IVe gone and made you late 
for breakfast!’^ 

Patricia wriggled out from her warm 
nest reluctantly. “There’s lots of time,” 
she assured Miss Jinny. “That’s the first 
call. We’ve got half an hour yet.” 

“I’ll come over to your room in just 
twenty-five minutes to the dot,” called Miss 
Jinny after her, as she gathered her dra- 
peries about her and fled down the hall. 

The day passed delightfully, with morn- 
ning service at the famous Dr. Arnold’s 
stately church, a specially sociable dinner 
at home, and a ’bus ride through the crisp 
sunshine of the afternoon into the snowy 
outskirts, with a cozy little tea in Miss 
Jinny’s big front room, where they could 
watch the twilight gather among the bare 
trees of the park and the lamps sparkle 
out among the shadows. After supper Mr. 
Spicer invited them in to see his collection 
of photographs which he had taken in all 
parts of the civilized and barbarous world. 


152 


Miss Pat at School 


before the long illness, contracted in the 
swamps of West Africa, had put a stop to 
his active, adventurous hfe as a collector 
for the University. 

The girls enjoyed this surprising revela- 
tion of the quiet, elderly gentleman’s vigor- 
ous taste, but Miss Jinny fairly reveled 
in such close contact with the life she so 
ardently envied, and it was nearly mid- 
night when they said good-night and hurried 
to their rooms. Miss Jinny declaring that 
she’d never spent such a satisfactory day 
in her life, and all three full of the ideas for 
their costumes which Mr. Spicer’s photo- 
graphs had suggested to them. 

The week that followed flew on winged 
feet. The costumes, simple enough at 
first, grew in detail with every day and 
absorbed so much of their spare time that 
Patricia frankly gave up any thought of 
work and yielded herself to the enjoyment 
of Miss Jinny and the day’s pleasure with- 
out any effort at serious work. 

^^The best thing about you. Miss Pat,” 
said Elinor, the day before the party, 
^^is that you know when to stop. I simply 


Smooth Waters 


153 


haven’t accomplished a thing the last two 
days, and yet I couldn’t have the courage 
to shirk the Academy. You stay away 
joyously, and get the full benefit.” 

“Why not?” returned Patricia, her fin- 
gers busy with Sinbad’s girdle. “You 
can’t do two things at once, to do them 
well, I’m commonplace enough to realize 
that, but you geniuses go on trying to tear 
yourselves into little pieces, and then howl 
because you aren’t making masterpieces in 
every department.” 

“I know it,” said Elinor, sinking wearily 
into a chair. “I’ve tried to keep up with 
you all at home here, and do my work, too, 
but it hasn’t worked. I believe I’ll stay 
home today and take a real holiday.” 

Patricia nodded. “You’ll be in better 
shape to begin on the library design next 
week,” she said briskly. “I’m not going to 
start my study till I feel just like it. Doesn’t 
pay to push yourseh too hard. We’ve had 
a glorious week, with the concerts and thea- 
ter and the museums and all, and I’ve 
learned more than I should have at the 
school. Just living teaches you lots, if 


164 


Miss Pat at School 


you^ll learn, and I don’t believe in turning 
up my nose at things just because they 
aren’t in a roster.” 

Miss Jinny, who had been out scouring 
the town for the materials for Sinbad’s 
beard, broke in on them breathlessly. 

“What do you think?” she cried, her 
eyes popping with pleasurable excitement. 
“The Haldens are in town for over Sunday, 
and the girls are going to the party tomor- 
row night! They’ve just landed yesterday 
and were in the customer’s hunting up suits 
when I ran across them.” 

“How splendid!” said Patricia, glowing. 
“To think that we’ll meet them here in 
town after all. Are they going to Rockham 
this summer?” 

“Going right up on Monday,” said Miss 
Jinny, taking off her things. “The two older 
girls go back to college, but the rest of the 
family go right home and stay there.” 

“I wonder what they are like, and if 
they’ll like us,” mused Elinor, her gaze on 
the fire that was snapping on the hearth in 
Miss Jinny’s room where the sewing was 
being done. 


Smooth Waters 


155 


find out tomorrow night/^ said 
Patricia, readily. '^And now that the 
costumes are all done, tomorrow night 
can’t come too soon for me.” 

'^I’m about ready, too,” chimed in Miss 
Jinny. reckon they’ll be quite aston- 
ished when they meet with their old friend 
Sinbad the Sailor.” 


CHAPTER IX 


THE ACADEMY BALL 

a crowd exclaimed 
Elinor, as they pushed their 
* * way to the cloak room. 
hope the floor won^t be too full for dancing!’^ 
'^Don^t give way to despair so soon — 
lots of these are maids and chaperones. 
Naskowski told me when we squeezed past 
him at the door that the rooms upstairs 
weren’t half filled yet,” said Patricia, hope- 
fully. ^'Here, Miss Jinny, squeeze in before 
me — ^there’s a chance to get inside if we 
form a flying wedge.” 

Mercy sakes, we’ll be tom to tatters!” 
cried Miss Jinny from behind her veil. 
^^Good thing we’re done up good and tight. 
Lands! There goes my whisk — no, they 
don’t either, it’s only the veil. Oh, for 
pity’s sake, woman, let me through without 
any palaver! Can’t you tell I’m a female?” 
The attendant, who at the sight of Miss 

( 156 ) 


The Academy Ball 


157 


Jinny^s bushy beard had thrust a sturdy 
arm across the door, dropped the barrier 
with a snort of laughter, and they were 
inside the swinging door of the cloak room, 
with a flushed maid waiting for their wraps, 
and an edge line of muflJed newcomers push- 
ing at their backs. 

^^It^s a blessing we finished ourselves up 
to the last notch at home,’’ said Patricia, 
with wide eyes of dismay for the throngs 
at the two mirrors. “We haven’t a chance 
to get a peep here, unless we stay all night. 
Is my headpiece on all right, Elinor? I feel 
all askew after that crush.” 

“You’re as sweet as can be,” answered 
Elinor, with a fond pride in voice and eyes. 
“You make the dearest Fairy Banou, with 
these filmy scarfs and draperies! Doesn’t 
she. Miss Jinny?” 

Miss Jinny, who was still enshrouded save 
for the torn veil, gave the last pat to Patri- 
cia’s gauzes, and handed the pink silk 
cloak to the admiring maid, before she 
spoke. Then she looked Patricia over 
thoroughly and gave her husky chuckle. 

“I declare if I ain’t a firm believer in 


158 


Miss Pat at School 


fairies after this/^ she said with frank 
affection. “There isn't anything prettier 
nor sweeter in the whole ball, I'll warrant!" 

Patricia laughed and blushed with plea- 
sure, preening herself a little and stretching 
on tiptoe to try to catch a glimpse in the 
crowded mirror; there was a movement as 
a sultana who had been carmining her full 
lips gave place to a dark beggar maid, and 
Patricia caught the vision of a slender, 
airy figure, glittering beneath its gauzy 
draperies with the sparkle of bright gold, 
and with the glint and shimmer of rosy 
clanking bracelets and anklets, and the 
spangled glory of the rose-crowned headpiece 
stirring a magical memory of Persia. 

“Why, I am awfully nice!" she cried, 
delighted with the picture. “I'll never 
know myself! Do get off your things, 
Norn, I'm crazy to see how you look." 

Elinor, helped by Miss Jinny, shed her 
wrappings and stood revealed as a lovely 
Princess of China, with billowing draperies 
and flashing glass jewels and a tiny filet 
sparking on her dark hair. Some of the 
swarm about the mirrors turned at Patri- 


The Academy Ball 


159 


cia’s exclamation, and with generous ad- 
miration pressed back upon themselves so 
that for a moment the dark, serious beauty 
of the Princess of China flashed out at 
Elinor from the long oblong of the glass, 
filling her lovely eyes with a gratified light 
and flushing her tinted cheeks a deeper 
pink. 

^^How sweet of you to let me see!^’ she 
cried impulsively to the houris and queens 
and beggar-maids that had given her the 
brief tribute. don’t believe I know any 
of you, but I’m just as much obliged as ” 

She broke off in amazement at the famil- 
iar grin of one of the most glittering queens. 
^^GriflBn, of all people!” she cried, delight- 
edly, and held out an eager hand. 

The sultana, speaking with decidedly 
un-oriental diction, came shimmering over 
to them, and shook hands with occidental 
heartiness. 

^^This is what I call luck,” she said, 
genially. '^I’m going to steer you two 
peaches right into the thick of the tumult, 
and if you don’t have the time of your sad 
young lives, my name’s not — well, here, 


160 


Miss Pat at School 


you^d better pronounce it for me” and she 
handed out a card on which was printed 
in clear black letters, 

THE SULTANA KEHERRYSEENOGASSOLEHENNELECTRIZADE 
(OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LIGHT OF THE HARUMSCARUM) 

Patricia and Elinor puckered their brows 
over it, but Miss Jinny, craning her head 
over their shoulders, gave a snort. 

^^Pooh, that’s as easy as rolling off a log,” 
she said, with a toss of her turban. ^^If 
you’d added acetylene and alcohol you’d 
made it a bit longer.” 

Griffin grinned amiably at the whiskered 
countenance. ^^Good for you, old top,” 
she responded, cheerfully. ^^You ought to 
go into the Sunday puzzle department. 
You’d be hung all over with gold-filled 
watches. Where did you blow in from?” 

Miss Jinny had been quietly removing 
her outer coverings and as Griffin spoke 
she dropped her last concealing wrap, and 
stepped out in turban and embroidered 
jacket, Vermillion girdle and wide, baggy 
blue trousers whose voluminous folds almost 


The Academy Ball 


161 


hid the Vermillion and gold tips of her 
curling slippers. A simitar was thrust 
fiercely through the fiaming girdle, and a 
gaudy hookah cuddled in the crook of her 
arm, while the bristling whiskers and encar- 
mined cheeks and nose of the weather- 
beaten seafarer proclaimed a strong mascu- 
line personality in striking contrast to the 
pretty young men Turks and Persians that 
tittered in feminine fashion all about her. 

^‘Upon my soul!^^ cried the sultana of the 
inflammable name. ^^Youhe a corker! Do 
you mean to say. Miss Pat, that this buc- 
caneer is the lady from the rural districts 
you were spouting about?’’ 

Miss Jinny gave her husky chuckle. 

“I’m the only original Sinbad,” she 
declared with a very un-Persian hitch to 
her flowing trousers. “I’ve got tales 
that’ll make you creep, and as for hair- 
breadth escapes — ^why, I’m so full of ’em 
that I can’t see a tumbler of water but 
that I make a noise like a shipwreck.” 

“Come along upstairs with me!” cried 
the sultana, excitedly, hooking her arm in 
that of the embroidered jacket. “You’re 


11 


162 


Miss Pat at School 


too good to waste! I need you in my 
business/’ 

Patricia and Elinor followed, rejoicing in 
Miss Jinny’s instant success, for, as Elinor 
whispered to Patricia, if Grifiin took Miss 
Jinny about, she would be one of the 
features of the evening. 

They went slowly up the palm-banked, 
stately stairway, through a dim ante- 
chamber where a line of twinkling bar- 
baric lamps led to the great curtained arch 
of the entrance to the main assembly room. 

Isn’t it lovely and mysterious?” mur- 
mured Elinor, pausing to enjoy the sense 
of isolation that the obscurity of the 
blurred lamps emphasized. almost 

hate to lift the curtain. It may be so 
disappointing.” 

Patricia set her spangled roses twinkling 
with a nod of comprehension, but she did 
not pause. 

^^This is nice enough,” she said incisively. 
“It takes away the taste of the jumbled 
dressing room, but it makes me all the 
readier for the real thing — ^the people and 
the lights and the dancing. I simply can’t 


The Academy Ball 


163 


waste another instant/^ and she parted the 
heavy fold and they slipped into the 
radiant Arabian land of fairy. 

Lights were flashing everywhere, and 
everywhere silks and jewels shimmered in 
oriental profusion, striking the eye with a 
bewildering medley of color. 

Patricia drew in her breath with a 
sharp little sigh of satisfied anticipation, 
but had no more than a murmur for 
Elinor’s rapturous exclamations, so busy 
was she with the brilliant scene before her. 

Among the palms and costly rugs that 
backgrounded a marvelous regal dais occu- 
pying one long end of the great room, sat 
the ghttering figure of the portly Haroun- 
al-Raschid, Sultan of Bagdad and husband 
of many lovely wives, whose multi-colored 
costumes made a glowing garden on the 
rugs at the foot of the dais, while on the 
embroidered cushions at the side of the 
monarch a lovely Scheherazade in shim- 
mering white satin with strings of glisten- 
ing gems in her hair, on her breast, on her 
arms and ankles, made an alluring picture 
of the new-made bride. Tall palms reared 


164 


Miss Pat at School 


their stately fronds above the group and 
slave girls, with fierce Nubians in attend- 
ance, waited in mute homage at either side 
of the throne. Lamps of brass glittered in 
the alcoves back of the great dais, and 
above it all the roofs and minarets of the 
ancient city gloomed in the moonlight of 
the thousand and second night. 

All about the spacious hall were groups 
of Arabians, of fair Circassians, of dusky 
Nubians and turbaned Turks, while the 
rustle of costly fabrics and the odor of 
heavy Eastern perfumes floated in the air; 
the modern city outside in the wintry 
electric lights was well forgot in the en- 
chantment of the moment, and Patricia 
lost coimt of time and sense of self in the 
pageant that swept across the lofty chamber 
to make its obeisance at the imperial 
divan. 

^^Look, Norn, look,^^ she whispered, as 
Aladdin and his mother, in rustling native 
embroidered silks, led another Princess of 
China in bridal procession across the center 
of the scene, their rich dresses making a 
bright spot in the shifting medley of color. 


The Academy Ball 


165 


^^She^s not half so lovely as you, for all her 
things are so fine. I wonder who — ^why, 
it’s Doris Leighton! She never told us 
what she was going to be; and she knew you 
were to be the Princess. Isn’t it queer?” 

“We didn’t many of us tell, you know,” 
returned Elinor absently, with her eyes on 
Morgiana meekly following her master 
with the basket of fruit which was to be 
such a feature in her triumphant dance 
after the robbers had been boiled alive in 
their own panniers. “There’s Margaret 
Howes. Isn’t she lovely in that pomegran- 
ate and gold? What queer slippers she 
has — ^just like the ballet dancers. And 
there’s Ali Baba with the forty thieves, all 
the portrait class men in a bunch.” 

“And the young king of the Black Isles 
and his wife!” cried Patricia, giggling. 
“That’s Jeffries, the modeling-room pet, 
and Miss Green. She’ll exercise the black 
art in earnest. Did you ever see such 
paralyzing expressions as she can call up! 
That pastry cook is Peacock, the assistant 
in the antique. I know him by his red 
hair.” 


166 


Miss Pat at School 


As the procession wound to its finish the 
Sultan arose and with many courteous 
speeches in the eastern phraseology wel- 
comed the company to the night^s enter- 
tainment, explaining that the first half 
would be employed in various acts by 
those who had appeared in the procession, 
with an intermission when refreshments 
would be served by slaves, after which 
there would be a general dance followed by 
supper in the antechamber. 

A space was cleared in the center of the 
room, and there was a general rush to 
secure good positions. Patricia found her- 
self separated from Elinor by a broad- 
shouldered Moslem whose slow speech re- 
vealed him as the good-natured Naskowski. 

did work in the clay room till the 
hour for this ball,’^ he said, replying to her 
surprise. “And after I speak to you on 
the hall I become a good Mohammedan 
very rapid — so rapid I see you and your 
most beautiful sister come in by the great 
door. Many others see also. We say 
she make a more fine Princess than the 

yi 


one 


The Academy Ball 


167 


^^Oh, hush!’^ cautioned Patricia, grasping 
his arm in her agitation. “She^U hear 
you! She^s just back of us this minute.’’ 

Doris Leighton, with a rather flushed 
face, leaned forward as Patrica spoke and 
touched her on the shoulder. 

must congratulate you. Peri Banou,” 
she said with sharp gayety. Everyone is 
saying that the Princess — ^your sister — ^is 
the clou of the ball.” 

Patricia had an uneasy sense of insincerity 
in the light tone, but a swift glance into 
the wide eyes of the smiling Doris reassured 
her. 

^^She is lovely, isn’t she?” she replied 
ardently. ^'But her dress isn’t half so 
gorgeous as yours,” she added heartily. 

Doris Leighton’s lashes drooped till her 
eyes were a narrow line of inscrutable 
blue. 

Thank you so much,” she said in a 
tone of such even sweetness that Patricia 
felt uncomfortable, though she did not 
know why. 

Doris sank back to her place and Patricia 
turned her attention to the laughable 


168 


Miss Pat at School 


parodies and excellent dances and nec- 
romancy that filled the first half of the 
program. It was all hugely diverting, and 
she laughed and applauded with the rest, 
but all the while at the back of her mind 
there was a little uneasiness, a sense of 
insecurity and disillusionment that flavored 
all the gayety with its fleeting bitterness. 
She was uneasy till she had found Elinor 
and in the telling of the insignificant 
incident had regained enough confidence 
to laugh at her foolish disquiet. 

^^I^m always making mountains out of 
mole-hills, and having you level them for 
me, Norn,^^ she said, taking a glass of 
sherbet from the flower-wreathed tray of 
the charming slave. “I wish I wasn^t 
such an alarmist. I felt as frantic as 
though Doris Leighton had drawn a dagger, 
and now I can see what a goose I am.^’ 
That’s because you expect people to be 
perfect and then, when they show the 
tiniest human weakness, you declare them 
demons at once,” said Elinor, gayly. You 
couldn’t expect her to like overhearing 
them praise me, could you? I think she 


The Academy Ball 


169 


tried to be very kind, and I admire her 
tremendously for it.’^ 

Patricia puckered her brows judicially, 
do, too, she declared. ^^But 

IVe been paid up for my evilmindedness 
by losing haK my good time. I think I'll 
try to find her and be awfully agreeable 
to her. I'll feel better for it, I'm sure." 

The dancing was beginning as Patricia 
made her w^ay slowly across the great room 
to the laughing group where she had seen 
Doris Leighton but a moment ago, and 
before she was halfway across Doris and a 
tall Turk swung past her in the whirl of 
the newest dance, followed by Elinor and 
Aladdin, and then by Griffin and the young 
king of the Black Isles. Patricia stood 
still in sudden swift contrition. 

“If I haven't forgotten all about Miss 
Jinny!" she thought remorsefully. “How 
fearfuUy self-absorbed I'm getting to be. 
I'm a perfect 

She had a long search before she dis- 
covered the valiant Sinbad in a far corner 
of the now deserted divan surrounded by a 
circle of kindred spirits to whom Griffin 


170 


Miss Pat at School 


had delivered her, holding her own with 
great spirit and enjoyment among the 
dashing wit and pungent repartee. 

Miss Jinny, at the sight of Patricia 
fluttering in among them in her white 
gauzy draperies like some dainty moth, 
held out a reproving Anger. 

^^Why aren^t you dancing?’^ she de- 
manded sternly, her whiskers trembling 
with the fervor of her interest. ^^What is 
Elinor up to that you’re not dancing?” 

Patricia, abashed by being thus publicly 
admonished, murmured something about 
its being only the first dance, and not 
knowing many people, but Miss Jinny cut 
her short. 

Don’t tell me,” she said abruptly. 
^^You ought to be dancing instead of 
wasting your time on old ladies like me.” 
Here there was a burst of mirth at the 
incongruity of the words with Miss Jinny’s 
ferocious masculine aspect, but she silenced 
it with a wave of her hookah stem. Let 
me introduce the Second Calendar, who I 
hope knows enough respectable young men 
here to see that you aren’t a wall flower.” 


The Academy Ball 


171 


A good-natured, whole-some looking 
young man in the clothes of a calendar, 
with a patch on his right eye, laid aside 
his long-necked lute and rose with a bow. 

^^I’m usually known as Herbert Lester, 
Miss Kendall,’’ he said, smiling as he led 
her to the dancing floor. ^^Sinbad can 
tell you that my mother was an old friend 
of your aimt. I’ve just learned that you 
and your sister are students here. Have 
you seen the Haldens? They were asking 
me about you a moment before the inter- 
mission, and I was commissioned to hunt 
you up when I ran into the circle there in 
the divan and was hypnotized by Sinbad’s 
wonderful sea tales.” 

He rattled on aU through the dance, 
Patricia getting in only a few words here 
and there, and when the music stopped he 
steered her to a particulary gay group 
under a big palm in a corner, and intro- 
duced her to the two Halden girls and their 
mother, and then went off in search of 
Elinor and Miss Jinny. 

Patricia found the Haldens, mother and 
daughters, so much to her mind that she 


172 


Miss Pat at School 


was full of regret that she had not met 
them earlier. They were kindly, whole- 
hearted people who lived without any 
quarrel with life, and Patricia, as well as 
Elinor and Miss Jinny, rejoiced openly in 
the prospect of a summer together in dear 
old Rockham. 

They parted, at the end of the sump- 
tuous supper in the transformed ante- 
chamber, with a thousand plans for the 
coming season and a strong sense of en- 
richment in the friendship of these sincere 
and attractive neighbors. 

^^What do you think of the artists now?” 
asked Patricia, leaning back in the carriage 
as they were being whirled homeward. 
'^Are they such serious people as you 
thought them, Norn?^’ 

^^TheyVe so mighty much in earnest 
that theyll break their necks to do a thing 
right, retorted Miss Jinny with spirit. 
'^It^s their being so serious that makes 
them play so well.’^ 

Elinor smiled assent, and Miss Jinny 
went on. 

^^When folks are sure a thing^s worth 


The Academy Ball 


173 


while, they make it go. Think of how 
that same party would have slumped if 
everybody hadnT felt it was the most 
serious thing in the world to make it real.” 
Then, with a sudden pounce, she changed 
the subject. ^^IVe seen your wonderful 
Doris Leighton, Miss Pat, and I must say 
I donT take very much stock in her.” 

Patricia felt that same indefinite sense 
of loss and disillusionment which had 
haimted her earlier in the evening, and she 
shrank back into her corner without a 
word, fearing that Miss Jinny’s clear vision 
might after all substantiate her shadowy 
misgivings. 

It was Elinor who rushed to the defense. 

WeVe always found her sweet-tempered 
and kind, haven’t we, Patricia? She’s 
very popular and perhaps you thought her 
spoiled, but I’m sure, dear Miss Jinny, if 
you knew her better you’d like her as 
much as we do.” 

Miss Jinny gave a snort that almost 
shook her whiskers off. 

^^I’U be bound for you, Elinor Kendall, 
to find the sweetness in every sour apple. 


174 


Miss Pat at School 


Not that your Doris Leighton is sour on 
the outside. She^s much too sweet for 
my taste. I don’t trust them when they’re 
so unearthly sweet.” 

Patricia recalled Griffin’s remarks on 
the same subject, but she loyally suppressed 
the memory and called up instead the 
radiant vision of Doris as she had first 
seen her in her green apron, smiling back 
at her eager whisper of admiration, and her 
heart warmed to the memory. 

First impressions are always best, I 
find,” she said sagely. won’t believe 
I’ve been mistaken till I have to. What 
did she do that made you dislike her?” 

Miss Jinny, cornered, had to admit that 
there was nothing she could put her finger 
on. ^^But I don’t trust her eyes,” she 
ended obstinately. “You have been de- 
ceived before. Miss Pat, and you may be 
again. However, I won’t say another 
word against her. If you like her, that’s 
enough. Now, let’s talk about the nice 
people. How did you like that Lester 
boy? His mother was your Aunt Louise’s 
chum at school.” 


The Academy Ball 


175 


was awfully nice/^ said Patricia 
enthusiastically. ‘^Architects are so much 
better scrubbed than art students. He 
has lovely hair, too. He’s tremendously 
fond of Miriam Halden, did you notice?” 

Miss Jinny gave her husky chuckle. 
“Trust your eyes for spying out secrets,” 
she said. “That boy has been devoted to 
Miriam all his life. She refused him when 
she was ten, and has kept on ever since. 
It’s got to be a habit, he says. He’s as 
joUy as a grig, but he doesn’t give up, and 
I suppose some day Miriam will give in.” 

Patricia thrilled with interest. 

“Oh, I hope it happens next summer, 
when we’re home!” she cried. “I’ve 
always been perfectly crazy to know an 
engaged couple and I never have — except 
Mr. Bingham and Miss Auborn, and they 
weren’t so very interesting anyway.” 

“They won’t be of much use to you if 
they do get engaged,” returned Miss Jinny 
sententiously. “ ‘Two’s company’ after 
the ring appears.” 

“David says they’re slushy pursued 
Patricia, meditating. “But he’s only a boy.” 


176 


Miss Pat at School 


She was silent for a while, and then she 
sat up alive with enthusiasm. 

“IVe got it!’^ she exclaimed. 
make a study of a man and girl for the 
prize design, and I^U call it ^Two^s com- 
pany. ^ I’ll have them looking at the ring 
on her hand, with a lovely rapt expression. 
Oh, how I wish it weren’t Sunday to- 
morrow. I’m crazy to begin it.” 

You’d better be thanking your stars 
for a day of rest, you incorrigible kitten,” 
said Miss Jinny as the carriage stopped at 
the curb. You’ll need an extra nap after 
all these fandangos.” 

Patricia, however, was unconvinced. 

^^I’ll show you when Monday comes!” 
she exulted, stepping lightly out into the 
frosty night. You’ll see if it isn’t worth 
while.” 


CHAPTER X 


THE PRIZE DESIGNS 

doesnT seem to come right/’ said 
I Patricia, rumpling her hair with the 
back of one soiled hand and star- 
ing ruefully at the lumpy, meaningless 
group of two stiff figures in modeling-wax 
that stood stolidly on a thick little board 
on top of the piano stool. 

^^They do look a bit queer,” admitted 
Elinor, reluctantly. ^'Perhaps when you’ve 
worked on them more ” 

Patricia interrupted her hotly. won’t 
waste another hour on them!” she declared 
vehemently. ^'I’ve slaved and slaved all 
my spare time, I missed the last of Miss 
Jinny’s visit, and I didn’t have time to 
hear a word of Judy’s tales about Grey- 
croft and the village, and I haven’t taken 
a moment to myself this whole week! I’ve 
done with it now for good and all. I was an 
idiot to think I could do anything, anyway.” 

12 ( 177 ) 


178 


Miss Pat at School 


“I believe if you tried something that 
was more simple, you^d do better,^’ said 
Elinor sympathetically. “YouVe taken 
such a tremendously elusive sort of thing 
in this. Why not try something that 
either Judith or I could pose for? That 
would help a lot, you know.’^ 

Patricia gave the stool a whirl, staring 
discontentedly at the afflicting group. 

^^It^s a sorry mess,’’ she commented 
dejectedly. don’t believe I want to 
make a goose of myself again. No, I 
won’t try, Norn. You’re awfully good to 
offer to pose, but I’m done with prize 
designs till I’ve had more experience,” and 
with a swoop she crumpled the two little 
stolid figures into an indistinguishable mass, 
pounding them flat with her pink palm. 

There! That’s the last of youP^ she 
said vindictively. Let’s see what you’ve 
been working on, Elinor. Ju said it was 
Wery satisfactory.’ ” 

Elinor smiled. ^^I only started this 
afternoon while you were in class,” she 
replied, bringing out a fair-sized canvas 
with a rough charcoal drawing on it. ^^I’m 


The Prize Designs 


179 


just blocking in the outlines, as you see; 
but IVe made a little color study that 
shows you how it will go/’ 

Patricia took the bit of canvas board, 
and held it at arm’s length, squinting at it 
with eyes that gradually brightened. 

^^Why, it’s dandy, Elinor Kendall!” she 
cried. It’ll be perfectly lovely if you 
can put it through even as well as you’ve 
managed it here. Judy was drawing it 
mild!” 

Judith, who was studying under the 
lamp at the center table with her fingers 
screwed into her ears and her mouth 
twisted intently in pursuit of knowledge, 
came abruptly back to life. 

'^Well, I didn’t want you to expect too 
much,” she said, with a gentle impatience. 
^'If I’d praised it too much, you’d have 
been disappointed with the thing itself.” 

Right-0, Miss Judith,” laughed Patricia, 
flinging an arm about the young sage. 
“My word, but you’re a crafty young one! 
I’d have raved about it till even Michael 
Angelo or Raphael couldn’t have satisfied 
the expectations of the beholder. How do 


180 


Miss Pat at School 


you come by so much wisdom, Miss 
Minerva?” 

Judith tossed her mane. ^^Don^t call 
names,” she responded, hiding the grati- 
fied smile that lurked in the corners of her 
mouth. “You’d think of things, too, if 
you didn’t talk quite so much. Miss Pat. 
It’s dreadfully hard to talk and think at 
the same time.” 

“Is it?” cried Patricia, dehghted as 
usual with Judith’s maxims. “Hear that 
now, will you, Norn? Ju’s going to reform 
me. I hope I’ll be a satisfactory subject, 
Judy darling. ^Thinking Taught While 
You Wait.’ It’s a great idea and it may 
lead to a new school of mental science. 
Ju would look fine in cap and gown as 
president of the college ” 

Patricia broke off laughing at Judith’s 
absolutely unconscious face, as, with fingers 
once again screwed into her ears and mouth 
twisted intently, she immersed herself in 
the dignified oblivion of study. 

Patricia looked at her with laughing 
eyes that gradually grew sober. 

“I’ve got it!” she said, eagerly turning 


The Prize Designs 


181 


to Elinor. ^^IVe got the idea for the sort 
of thing you meant. Ill do Judy just as 
she is — ^you’ll pose, wonl you, Ju? I 
won^t be too hard on you.’’ 

Don’t I always study like this?” replied 
Judith without looking up. ^^Go ahead as 
long as you like — only don’t talk. I want 
to study.” 

“Good girl, Judith!” cried Patricia, pull- 
ing the stool with its burden nearer to the 
light. “I’ll plunge in right away and 
get it blocked in tonight. Do you know 
where I put that other package of model- 
ing-wax, Elinor?” 

She set to work with a will, humming 
to herself as she worked, the failure of 
her more ambitious undertaking forgotten 
in the joy of renewed hope, and her inti- 
mate knowledge of Judith’s face and figure 
helping unconsciously to better work than 
she could have done in the schools. 

When nine o’clock rang from the church 
tower across the park she laid down her 
tools with an air of great content. 

“I believe it’s going to go,” she an- 
nounced to the absorbed pair of workers 


182 


Miss Pat at School 


before her. ^^Wake up, Norn, and give 
me a criticism. Ju has to go to bed and 
canH hold the pose much longer any- 
way.” 

^^Pooh, I’m not a bit tired,” protested 
Judith. sit this way every night for 
Aotirs.” 

Elinor laid down her brushes and turned 
in her chair. Her face lighted as she saw 
the rough, vigorous outlines of Patricia’s 
latest effort. 

That’s the real thing. Miss Pat!” she 
said enthusiastically. 'Hf you can keep 
it up like that, you won’t have to be 
ashamed of it, I can teU you!” 

She came and stood behind Patricia, her 
hands on her shoulders, eager and in- 
terested. 

^^That shoulder is a little too high, 
and the head needs more fullness at the 
top — ^Ju has lots of hair — ^but it’s going 
along splendidly, splendidly! Don’t touch 
it again till Judith poses tomorrow. You 
want to keep close to life and not make 
up anything.” 

Patricia, meek in experience of past 


The Prize Designs 


183 


failure, covered her work and put it safely 
away. 

^^1^11 go on with it when I’m rested and 
Judy is fresh,” she said contentedly. ^^If 
it goes on as rapidly as it has tonight, it 
will be ready to turn in at the end of the 
week. We have until Saturday night to 
put in our stuff, you know. You have to 
get yours in by noon, don’t you?” 

Elinor nodded. “But I shan’t have any 
trouble finishing in time, I’m sure,” she 
said with bright confidence. “I feel as 
though it were almost going to do itself.” 

The spare hours of the rest of that 
week were devoted to the prize designs, 
and both progressed so happily that their 
authors were filled with a greater measure 
of content as the days sped. 

“I’m going to take mine in to the Acad- 
emy to work on this afternoon while I wait 
for the night life,” said Elinor on Thurs- 
day as they were leaving the breakfast 
room. “I want to see how it looks among 
the big casts and life studies. I’m afraid 
it won’t show up very w^ell among the 
real things, but it may help me to see its 


184 


Miss Pat at School 


faults and remedy them while I still have 
time/^ 

Patricia gazed approvingly at the dim, 
shadowy study of graceful figures grouped 
in attentive attitudes about a reader in 
a landscape of suggested loveliness that 
spoke to any observer with delicate sym- 
bolism. 

^^IPs the best ever,^^ she declared. 
Vagger,’ as Hannah Ann says, that you 
lift the medal.’’ 

Elinor gave a gently contemptuous sniff 
as she stowed it away in its corner. “No 
doubt — ^with all those experienced students 
competing! Some of them have been 
there ten years, Miss Pat. I simply 
haven’t the ghost of a show, and you 
know it.” 

Patricia was silenced, though uncon- 
vinced. “Don’t you let any of those 
hyenas see it, all the same,” she cautioned. 
“I know them better than you do. They’d 
rush another version in before yours, and 
then where would you be?” 

“I don’t believe anyone would be so 
low minded!” cried Elinor, shocked and 


The Prize Designs 


185 


reproachful. ^^How can you say such 
things, Miss Pat?’' 

^^Take my advice, my dear,” grinned 
Patricia. You’re too good to see through 
some of those fakes, and this is one in- 
stance when my eyes are clearer than yours. 
It isn’t often I can give you points, so do 
be grateful. Don’t let those long-haired 
boys get a glimpse of it, or it’s all up 
with you.” 

Elinor promised, smiling at Patricia’s 
vehemence, and went off with her canvas, 
securely wrapped against curious eyes, 
held firmly in one gray-gloved hand. 

Patricia looked after her with loving 
pride. ^^How pretty she is, and how 
clever,” she thought tenderly. ^^And the 
best part of it is that she doesn’t know 
what an adorable dear she is. I hope she 
gets an honorable mention, even if she 
can’t hit the prize. She deserves a lot 
of good times, after all those lean years 
when she took such good care of us.” 

When Patricia came home from the 
library at half-past five, she was sur- 
prised to find Elinor stretched on the 


186 


Miss Pat at School 


couch, with a thick comfortable drawn up 
to her chin, and her face gray and haggard. 

''What in the world — she began in 
alarm, but Elinor silenced her questioning 
with a weak wave of one tired hand. 

"I’m not really sick,” she said, in a 
faint tone, as Patricia cuddled down on 
the floor beside her and took the chilly 
hand in her warm one. "I have one of 
my old headaches. I forgot to get any 
lunch. I had just put the key in my 
locker, when everything grew black and 
I’d have collapsed if Doris Leighton hadn’t 
helped me to a chair. She gave me some 
milk and got my things for me, and when 
I felt well enough, she came over here 
with me. She’s certainly the sweetest 
thing. She had to miss getting her criti- 
cism, too. Mr. Benton had just gone in 
when I crumpled up.” 

"She’s a perfect angel,” cried Patricia, 
her heart warming at the thought of 
Doris’ genuine sweetness of nature. "If 
Miss Jinny really had known her, she’d 
been the last to suspect her.” 

"She’s coming over after life class,” 


The Prize Designs 


187 


Elinor went on, closing her eyes wearily. 

found I’d forgotten my keys when I 
got home, and she’s going to bring them 
over for me on her way home.” 

You’d better go to sleep,” said Patricia, 
smoothing the white brow with deft fingers. 
^^I’U keep everything quiet, so that you 
can sleep it off as you used to be able to. 
I hope you’ll be all right in the morning.” 

Elinor nodded mutely, and Patricia, 
pulling down the shades so that the street 
light did not flicker on the pale wall, tip- 
toed out of the room, to caution Judith 
and await the coming of Doris Leighton. 

Dinner was long over, Judith’s lessons 
done and bed-time come, when at last 
Patricia hurried down to the long parlor 
wLere Doris sat in the dim light. 

She was very pale and tired looking, but 
as graceful and charming as ever. She 
inquired after Elinor with a profuse sym- 
pathy that more than satisfied the warm- 
hearted Patricia, whose compassion stirred 
at her look of fatigue. 

^^You ought to be taking more care of 
yourself,” she said, with concern. You’re 


188 


Miss Pat at School 


tired to death, and yet you come out of 
your way to see about Elinor. You look 
dreadfully fagged.’’ 

Doris smiled wanly. She laid an im- 
pulsive hand on Patricia’s arm and opened 
her pretty lips, but before the words came 
she evidently obeyed another differing im- 
pulse, for she underwent a subtle change, 
an imperceptible hardening that was so 
delicately veiled by her still gracious man- 
ner that Patricia had only a bafl3ing sense 
of being gently shut out from her real 
confidence. 

^^I’ve been working on my panel study,” 
she said, with an effort at brightness. 

don’t seem to get it finished to my 
liking, and the time is getting perilously 
short, you know.” 

Patricia looked her surprise. ^^Why, 
I thought you hadn’t started it yet. You 
said you’d rush it off at the last moment 
without a bit of trouble.” 

That’s the way I usually do,” assented 
Doris evenly. “But I’m going out of 
town on Saturday, and I have to turn it 
in before I leave tomorrow night. I’U 


The Prize Designs 


189 


stay home and work on it in the morning, 
so I shan^t see you perhaps before I go” 

She said good-night absently, and 
Patricia, watching her hurry down the 
frosty street, found herself wondering at 
the subtle barrier that she could feel so 
keenly, while she yet tried to disbelieve. 

wonder what she was going to say?^’ 
she thought, as she went slowly up to 
Judith’s room, where she was to spend the 
night. “It can’t be my imagination this 
time, for she actually did start to speak, 
and then stopped.” She frowned and then 
her face cleared. “What a stupid I am — 
always getting up in the air about trifles! 
Doris Leighton is tired to death, and 
wanted to get home. She was just as 
pleasant as ever, even though she didn’t 
have time or strength to be as sociable 
as she’d liked. If she hadn’t felt an 
interest in Elinor, she’d not troubled to 
bring her keys back tonight. I hope she 
makes good with her prize study, now that 
she’s gotten an idea for it. She’s a stun- 
ning worker when she goes at it.” 

She tiptoed softly in to Elinor, who was 


190 


Miss Pat at School 


sleeping quietly, and she stood looking down 
at the sweep of eyelash and rounded cheek 
that the low-turned light caught out from 
the jumbled masses of dark hair. 

“Dear old Norn/^ she thought fondly. 
“You’ll be at the head of the night life, 
too, some day, like Doris is now, and 
you’ll be cleverer than any of them, for 
you aren’t ever a bit cocked up about 
yourself.” Her eyes grew wide with 
thought. “That’s the reason,” she whis- 
pered triumphantly, “that you’re going 
to be a howling success — ^you’ve got time 
to care about all the other things in life 
first, to think about them and to enjoy 
them. And that means o-rig-inal-ity. 
You’ve got more ideas now than any of 
those old stagers, you adorable duck!” 
she ended, so overcome by her feelings 
that she dropped on her knees by the 
couch and pressed her warm lips on the 
dark hair. 

Elinor merely stirred and mumbled 
something indistinct, much to the con- 
trite Patricia’s relief. 

“I’ll never learn to be composed and 


The Prize Designs 


191 


considerate,” she sighed as she crept in 
beside the slumbering Judith. crazy 

for Elinor to finish that lovely study of 
hers, and yet I^d wake her up just for my 
silly whims. She^s got to get it done 
tomorrow if she can. Wish I could help 
her. Thank goodness, miners done at 
last,” and she drifted off to sleep with 
a jumble of prize designs and golden dreams 
for the future mingling with that recurring 
memory of Doris Leighton’s hardening 
face as she spoke of her study for the 
library panel. 

The next afternoon when Elinor, com- 
pletely restored after a day’s rest, took 
out her drawing-board and began to work, 
Patricia brought out her own study for 
a final criticism before laboriously lugging 
it up to the Academy. 

Elinor and Judith were very enthusi- 
astic over the intent, studious figure that 
bent over its book in such lifelike fash- 
ion. 

^^It’s that air of real hard study that 
makes it so good,” said Elinor, twirling 
the stool to catch every view of the figure. 


192 


Miss Pat at School 


don’t know how you managed to get 
it so well.” 

^^Well, Ju was studying hard and not 
merely posing,” returned Patricia seriously. 

Somehow it gets into the work. There 
isn’t anything that tells the truth so 
straight as our sort of work, Norn. You 
simply can’t fake. Judy deserves part of 
the credit. And then, I liked it so, I 
couldn’t help getting on with it. It’s so 
fearfully jolly to a producer” 

Judith gave her pale locks a toss. 
^^Why, we’re all doing it!” she crowed. 
^^You two in the Academy, and I at home 
here in my diary and my stories! Aren’t 
we a talented lot!” 

^ ^ Stuff! ’ ’ said Patricia disgustedly. ' ^ You 
and I needn’t brag yet a while, Judy. 
Elinor’s the only one that’s got a ghost 
of a showing. You’ve a long lane to run 
before you can even be considered, and I’m 
just coEomon, every-day stuff like everyone 
else. This is just a flyer I’m taking in 
the company of my betters,” and she 
gave a whimsical glance at Elinor with 
the insight that was occasionally hers in 


The Prize Designs 


193 


brief glimpses. can’t fly far, I warn 
you, but it’s simply ripping while I’m on 
the wing!” 

^^Judy likes to see herself go by in the 
mirror,” smiled Elinor leniently. ''I sup- 
pose that’s the literary mind.” 

Literary grandmother!” exclaimed Pa- 
tricia scornfully. She’s a conceited 
chicken that thinks she’s a nightingale 
because she can peep louder than some. 
Wait till you’ve had some of your stuff 
printed, Judy, before you boast. Anyone 
can scribble ” 

You’ll hurt her feelings, Miss Pat,” 
protested Elinor, as Judith’s dignified back 
disappeared into her own room and the 
door closed firmly. '^She doesn’t mean to 
be boastful.” 

Nonsense! I’m her only hope,” returned 
Patricia with spirit. ^'She won’t amount 
to a row of pins if she goes on this way. 
Don’t you worry about her feelings. She’s 
got sense enough to know I’m right. Come 
^ong over to the Academy with me 
now. The walk will do you good, and 
I’ll feel more respectable with a good- 


13 


194 


Miss Pat at School 


looking escort while I^m lugging this huge 
thing/’ 

They met Doris Leighton coming out of 
the students’ door, and after a few inquiries 
found that she had just accomplished the 
same errand that Patricia was bent on. 
Her study for the prize panel was safely 
stowed away in the office of the curator. 

^^What was it like?” eagerly demanded 
Patricia. ^Ht doesn’t matter now, you 
know, if you tell. We won’t tell, and it’s 
too late, anyway, to make any difference.” 

Doris hesitated, undergoing again that 
subtle change that Patricia had seen before. 

think I’ll wait till they’re all in,” 
she replied softly. 'Ht will be better for 
us all to be able to say truthfully that we 
had no idea of what the others were like 
till after ours were in. Don’t you think 
so?” 

^^Of course it will,” agreed Elinor 
heartily. ^H’m glad you thought of it. 
I’d much rather not know. Mine isn’t 
finished yet, and I’m so new at the work 
that I might be influenced.” 

“I thought about that,” said Doris with 


The Prize Designs 


195 


veiled eyes on Elinor’s pale face. ''I 
know how the same thought wave will 
pass through peoples’ minds when they’re 
working together, and I feel that one 
should be very careful not to influence 
another, particularly in a case like this.” 

^^I’m not so sure that it makes a bit of 
difference,” said Patricia carelessly. ^^I’ve 
heard of people miles apart having the 
same idea at the same time. Patents are 
always being duplicated, you know.” 

'^Indeed they are!” cried Doris with 
singular fervor. ^^But the one who gets 
the idea first is always the real inventor. 
The jury wouldn’t hesitate to decide on 
that, I’m positive, if anyone was so unfor- 
tunate as to turn in a duplicate of any of 
the studies.” 

After she had said good-bye and they 
were waiting at the curator’s desk, Elinor 
spoke musingly. 

“I wonder,” she said, wrinkling her 
brows, ^^if Doris Leighton was afraid I’d 
garnish my panel with any of her ideas; 
she was so unnaturally stirred up about 
it.” 


196 


Miss Pat at School 


Patricia, with her mind wholly on her 
own absorbing business, gave scant atten- 
tion. 

She’s rattled for fear she won’t take 
the prize as usual,” she said, gayly. “I 
bet she opens her eyes when she sees yours, 
Norn. Hers may be lots better done, but 
it simply can’t be as lovely and as 
differ mV ^ 

She pushed her bulky package carefully 
across the curator’s counter, with an eager 
request that it be tenderly treated, and 
that official reassured her as to its entire 
safety by placing it at once in the locked 
ante-room where the modeling competition 
studies were stored. 

^^When will the prizes be announced?” 
she asked breathlessly, as the door clicked 
in its lock. Shall we have to wait long?” 

The curator smiled at her eagerness. 
^^The library panel will be announced at 
noon on Tuesday in the first antique 
room,” he said. ^'And the modeling class 
will be notified immediately before, while 
the class is still in session.” 

Patricia shivered with excited anticipa- 


The Prize Designs 


197 


tion as they closed the heavy outer door of 
the Academy after them. 

^^Jiminy, I wish Tuesday were here and 
over!^’ she said fervently. “I’m scared 
stiff when I think of my poor little study 
with all those artists focusing their eagle 
eyes on it.” 

“It does seem ages to wait,” agreed 
Elinor. “After I turn mine in tomorrow 
morning, I’U be consumed with curiosity 
to see the others — ^particularly Doris Leigh- 
ton’s.” 


CHAPTER XI 


THE LITTLE RIFT 

THAT do you think?^’ cried Pa- 
tricia radiantly, swooping down 
^ * on Elinor as she came slowly 
out of the portrait room at high noon on 
the momentous Tuesday. “What do you 
think, Elinor Kendall? IVe gotten ^Hon- 
orable Mention ^ for my silly little old 
head! Isn^t it wonderful? I^m so stunned 
I can’t talk. I never dreamed it could 
have the ghost of a show,” she rattled on 
ecstatically. “Miss Green was paralyzed, 
and Naskowski kept nodding till I thought 
he’d loosen his brain, and Griffin — she got 
first prize you know — cheered right out 
loud before them all. I was simply too 
limp for words, and I rushed out to tell 
you right away.” 

Elinor’s eyes filled with a glad light, and 
she took Patricia in her arms. “It’s per- 
fectly glorious. Miss Pat, darling,” she said 

( 198 ) 


The Little Rift 


199 


with a rapturous squeeze. so de- 

lighted I can^t help kissing you on the 
spot/’ and she did it with a heartiness that 
made Patricia wriggle. 

^^Ouch, that’s my loose wisdom-tooth 
you’re pushing against!” she protested 
plaintively. ^'You’ve wobbled it all out 
of place, you reckless thing. There goes 
the crowd into the first antique. Come 
along or we’ll be too late!” 

The doors of the exhibition room were 
pushed quickly open as Mr. Benton led 
the expectant band of students in for their 
first sight of the prize designs, and Pa- 
tricia’s heart beat fast with the thrilling 
hope that Elinor’s might be among the 
first in rank. 

Her eyes swept one wall and then the 
other, searching for the familiar canvas, 
but all in vain, until she lifted them to the 
screen which stood in the center of the 
room, and where three canvases were 
hung, Elinor’s below the other two. 

“There it is!” she whispered eagerly, 
nudging Elinor to make her see. “It’s on 
the screen. Oh, Norn, it must have 


200 


Miss Pat at School 


^^Hush!’^ said Elinor in an undertone. 
^^Don^t make a fuss. There^s Doris Leigh- 
ton waving to us from the model stand. 
She looks awfully well, doesn’t she? Her 
little vacation ” 

But Patricia was impatiently deaf. 
'^Why doesn’t he get on?” she whispered 
testily. ^^We know all about the condi- 
tions of the prize. What we want to know 
is — oh, Elinor, I’m horribly disappointed. 
I was afraid Doris Leighton would get it, 
but you ought to have had Honorable 
Mention. Griffin’s isn’t half so good as 
yours; she said so herself. Can you see 
what their canvases are like? I’m just so 
that the light glares on them for me. 
What’s that he’s saying now? He’s talk- 
ing about your study.” 

The words cut the air with an incisive 
clearness that left no shadow of a doubt, 
though Patricia could scarcely credit her 
own ears. 

regret to say that the third study on 
the screen,” said Mr. Benton, toying with 
his eyeglass ribbon, “is merely placed there 
as a warning to students of all classes to 


The Little Rift 


201 


stick to their own ideas and imaginations, 
and not to attempt the hazardous task of 
copying stronger and more experienced 
workers. This canvas shows so much 
delicacy of appreciation of the subject that, 
had no other of absolutely the same design 
been previously turned in earlier, the jury 
should have given it the prize. Miss 
Leighton ^s cleverly executed study of pre- 
cisely the same subject, while more finished 
in treatment, is far below this one in feel- 
ing, and it is a matter of regret to me that 
the student who executed it should not 
have possessed more originality and seK- 
reliance. Miss Leighton will please come 
forward to receive the Roberts prize. 

Of what followed — the bestowing and 
graceful acceptance of the pretty purse 
with the hundred dollars, the congratula- 
tions and murmurs of surprise that ran 
about the assembly — ^Patricia had little 
knowledge. Those astonishing words of 
Mr. Benton had so stung and bewildered 
her that the room swung about her dizzily 
and she clutched the back of a chair for 
support. Elinor^s stricken face faded in 


202 


Miss Pat at School 


the blurred background of all the other 
faces, as she flung out vain hands of 
protest. 

^^Oh, it isn’t fair — ” she broke out, but 
the words that boomed so loudly in her 
ears were only a faint whisper, and she 
staggered blindly for a moment. 

When she recovered herseK in the dim 
corridor, Elinor, calm and reassuring, was 
on one side of her, while her other arm was 
in the firm grip of the cheery Griffin. 

“That’s all right, old pal,” GriflBn en- 
couraged her. “You’re almost into port 
now. Keep a stiff upper lip till we land 
you.” 

Patricia saw that they were steering for 
the dressing-room couch, and meekly al- 
lowed them their way. 

“Now you’re safe and sound, with no 
bones broken,” said GriflBin, as Patricia sank 
down on the roomy couch. “You’re a 
nice one, you are, scaring us into a blue 
fit just when we were about to blister our 
paws with applause for the heroine of the 
day.” 

Patricia looked inquiringly at Elinor, 


The Little Rift 


203 


who smiled at her serenely in return, much 
to Patricia’s bewilderment. 

^^But,” she protested, raising herself on 
one elbow. ^^It wasn’t true, what Mr. 
Benton said about your design. Why 
don’t you tell him so, Elinor?” 

Elinor merely shook her head gently, 
while Grifl&n stood in embarrassed silence. 

^^Why don’t you do something?” cried 
Patricia again. ^^Why don’t you tell him? 
Griffin, it wasn’t true — ^that she copied it! 
You know she’d not do a thing like that!” 

“Any fool knows that,” replied Griffin 
gruffly. “If Leighton had any stuff in 
her, she’d have spoken up. I was just 
going to when I saw you begin to crumple. 
It wasn’t etiquette for me to speak, but 
I’d have given them something to think 
of!” 

“It’s too late now to bother about 
denying it. Miss Pat dear,” said Elinor 
soothingly. “It doesn’t really matter 
much, you know, since we three know I 
didn’t copy. After all, it’s a very little 
thing. I’d rather be blamed unjustly 
than have done such a poor act. Don’t 


204 


Miss Pat at School 


feel so badly about it, dear. We can tell 
our friends that it was a mistake on Mr. 
Benton’s part, and they’ll believe us, I’m 
sure. It doesn’t matter for the rest.” 

Doesn’t it, really?” blazed Patricia, 
sitting up very stiff and straight. “Well, 
it may not to you, but to my mind it’s as 
bad as telling any other untruth. You’re 
not guilty of it, and if you let the accusa- 
tion pass unnoticed, you are party to the 
falsehood.” 

Griffin, who was winking at her behind 
Elinor’s back in a particularly portentous 
fashion, turned to the door. 

“Calm down. Miss Pat,” she said, with 
her hand on the knob. “I’m going to 
corral a few of the elect and put it to 
them. Brace up and look pleasant by the 
time I get back.” 

Patricia was about to break into angry 
tears on Elinor’s neck, but the brisk and 
significant air with which Griflin spoke 
roused her to herself again. She put 
Elinor’s arms away, and going to the 
mirror, smoothed her tumbled hair, and 
whisked away the telltale traces of her 


The Little Rift 


205 


collapse, while Elinor sat quietly on the 
edge of the couch watching her with fond 
anxiety. 

Not a word was spoken till the door 
opened again, and Grifiin with Doris Leigh- 
ton and Miss Green came quickly in. 

Doris Leighton, who was flushed and 
animated, went directly up to Elinor. 

^^It^s a shame,^’ she said, with a marked 
effort to subdue her own complacency. 

Everybody knows you are much too 
conscientious to do such a thing. IVe 
told everybody how shocked I am that 
Mr. Benton should make such a horrid 
mistake. It^s simply a thought wave, and 
IVe told everyone that you’re not at all 
to blame.” 

Elinor looked at her very calmly, and 
said with a tinge of amusement in her 
level voice, ^'You must be very thankful 
that you got your study in first, for then 
you would have had to congratulate me 
instead of commiserating me.” 

Patricia felt rather ashamed of Elinor’s 
lack of response to what she considered 
Doris’ loyal support, and she broke out 


206 


Miss Pat at School 


gratefully, ^^You^ll tell them all, won^t 
you? They^ll soon understand if you tell 
them!” 

She had her reward in Doris^ dazzling 
smile, and her assurances that she would 
do all she could to make Elinor’s vindica- 
tion speedy and thorough. 

Elinor was more cordial to Miss Green’s 
solemn and indignant protest against the 
powers that be. The stout monitor had 
so much genuine good feeling that the 
sincerity of her wrath could not be doubted. 

‘‘It is most unfair, unfair, Miss Ken- 
dall,” she reiterated, with her two dewlaps 
solemnly wagging to and fro. “It is most 
unprofessional of Mr. Benton, and, even if 
you had copied (which of course no one 
dreams of saying), it would still be most 
indelicate to expose a student directly to 
the publicity of such a reprimand. I 
deplore it. I deplore it most heartily. 
And your manner of receiving the un- 
merited rebuke has made me admire you 
more than I can say.” 

Elinor thanked her with pretty gratitude. 

“I shall make it a personal matter to 


The Little Rift 


207 


report to the committee/’ said Miss Green, 
as she prepared to follow the vanishing 
skirts of the prize bearer. shall cer- 
tainly bring the matter to their notice 
before the next meeting,” and with a 
cordial shake of Elinor’s hand she sailed 
out, with her black cloak billowing behind 
her and her plume quivering with sup- 
pressed indignation. 

Isn’t she the good old sport?” cried 
Griffin, in lively admiration. ^^She’U do 
the work of a half dozen niminy-piminy 
doUs like Leighton. Margaret Howes and 
your hiunble servant will back her up, too, 
and that committee will sit up and take 
notice before it’s a week older, or my name’s 
not Virginia Althea Frigilla Griffin — just 
like that.” 

It was hard work later on, when they 
had to face the inquiries of the wrathful 
Judith, to convince her that the whole 
thing was not a plot against Elinor by some 
envious rival. 

^'Mark my words, Elinor Kendall,” she 
said impressively. ^^Some one is at the 
bottom of this, and I have my suspicions. 


208 


Miss Pat at School 


too, who that someone is. I^m not going 
to tell, for you girls always laugh at me, 
but I^m going to prove it to you before 
that committee meets that you’re the 
victim of a conspiracy.” 

The relish with which Judith pronounced 
these ominous words made Elinor smile, 
but Patricia felt only aggravation at what 
she considered airs on Judith’s part. 

^^Stuff and nonsense, Judy!” she said, 
impatiently. You’ve been soaking your 
brain in fiction till you can’t see straight. 
Don’t you meddle with Elinor’s affairs 
unless she gives you permission. You’ll 
only make her ridiculous.” 

Judith, ignoring Patricia’s pungent re- 
marks, turned her calm eyes inquiringly to 
Ehnor. 

“You don’t mind if I can help prove 
that someone else was the deceiver, do you, 
Elinor?” she asked with such seriousness 
that Elinor rippled with enjoyment: 

“Bless your heart, kitten, make yourself 
as happy as you please with my affairs; 
only, I beseech of you, do it quietly and 
with as little martial music as possible.” 


The Little Rift 


209 


Judith pulled herself free from Elinor^s 
circling arms and made for the door, paus- 
ing on the threshold. 

^^As if I’d publish it on the housetops!” 
she cried in infinite disdain. “It’s plain 
you aren’t much up in detective stories.” 

After their laughter at her dramatic dis- 
appearance had died down, they sat quietly 
in the twilight watching the lamps flicker 
into life across the park, each one busy 
with her own thoughts. 

“Do you know. Miss Pat,” said Elinor, 
breaking a long silence “that I don’t like 
Doris Leighton any more. It isn’t because 
she got the prize — ^you know me better 
than to think that — ^but I’ve been noticing 
her more closely recently and I don’t think 
she rings true.” 

“Oh, I wish you wouldn’t, Norn,” pro- 
tested Patricia, in a small voice. “I do 
so want to have her for a friend. She’s so 
lovely and talented and attractive. What 
is the matter with her now that you say 
such things? You didn’t use to feel like 
that.” 

Elinor hesitated. ^^I don’t know,” she 


14 


210 


Miss Pat at School 


replied slowly, measuring her words. 
can’t put my finger on it, but she doesn’t 
seem the same to me as she did at first. 
She isn’t jealous of my poor work, of 
course, but I can feel a something — a wall 
or barrier — ^that she raises up between us 
whenever my work is spoken of. I felt it 
when we talked about the subject of the 
prize designs, and I felt it today more 
clearly than ever. We can’t be friends 
any more as we were, I’m afraid. Some- 
thing has come between us. ^The little 
rift within the lute,’ ” she quoted sorrow- 
fully. 

'That by and by will make the music 
mute,’ ” ended Patricia dismally. "Oh, I 
hope not, Norn. I hope it’ll all turn out 
well and we can go on pleasantly and 
peaceably for the rest of the term. I hate 
rows and suspicions. I’d like to live 'in 
charity and love to all men,’ but I’m 
always getting into scrapes. I no sooner 
learn to like a person than they turn out 
to be fakes.” 

"I haven’t gone that far,” Elinor gently 
reminded her. "I didn’t mean to say that 


The Little Rift 


211 


Doris Leighton was a fake. I only meant 
that my feelings toward her had changed. 
You don’t have to give up your admiration 
for her, Pat dear.” 

Patricia shook her head slowly from side 
to side. ^Whither thou goest I will go,’ ” 
she quoted. won’t have her for a 

friend if she gives you the creeps, Norn, 
and you know it. I’ve been mistaken in 
people before, but you’ve always been the 
same old true blue. You and Miss Jinny 
know better than I do, and I give in. I 
won’t be an enemy — ^you wouldn’t want 
that — ^but I won’t be a real friend like I 
have been, doing errands and helping her 
stretch canvases and all that. You and I 
will stand together always, old lady, and if 
the Roberts prize has done nothing but 
show us how very nice we each think the 
other is, it will have had its uses as far as 
we are concerned.” 

They sat in comfortable silence till they 
heard the front door slam and Judith’s 
feet on the stair. 

wonder what that young monkey is 
up to?” laughed Patricia as they heard 


212 


Miss Pat at School 


Judith moving about in her room, pre- 
paring for dinner with the alacrity of 
hungry virtue. ^^She won’t let on for the 
world, but I know she’s feeling mighty 
important about something. I can tell by 
the way she whisks about that she’s enjoy- 
ing herself immensely.” 


CHAPTER XII 


JUDITH^S DISCOVERY 

never again say that the literary 
I instinct is a burden and a reproach, 
Ju,^’ said Patricia, with her eyes 
dancing and her head high. ^^Your thirst 
for ^plots’ has proved too serviceable for 
me ever to point the finger of scorn in its 
direction.’^ 

It was a brisk, sunny day, and they were 
waiting for Elinor on the steps of the 
Academy. Judith was looking very happy, 
and Patricia, while she had a perturbed 
air, was no less triumphant in her manner. 

^^I wonder what keeps Elinor? She^s 
awfully late,^’ complained Judith, shifting 
on one foot. ^^Let^s go in and have lunch 
without her.’' 

Patricia shook her head decisively. 
^^Not much. You’ll wait here in solitude 
till she comes. I’m not going to have you 
spout it out before any old person, and 

( 213 ) 


214 


Miss Pat at School 


get us into hot water, perhaps. Here’s 
Elinor now. Come on, Norn, we’re about 
dead, standing on these flinty-hearted steps. 
Got the sandwiches you promised?” 

Elinor showed a neat parcel tucked under 
her muff-arm. Chicken and lettuce,” 
she said delectably. White grapes for 
dessert. Have you seen Margaret Howes 
and Griffin?” 

Patricia nodded as she held the door 
wide for Elinor. Griffin said she’d be 
ready for us, and Margaret Howes is 
coming straight down from composition 
class.” 

Elinor glanced at them as she went in. 
^^You two look remarkably hilarious,” 
she said casually. ^Hs it the spring in the 
air or the prospect of a festive lunch that 
so illuminates you?” 

^^Both and more too,” laughed Patricia. 

We’ve got a surprise for you, Norn, but 
we won’t tell till we’ve had lunch; will 
we, Ju?” 

^^Not till the very last crumb is done 
for,” declared Judith, emphatically, putting 
down her parcels on the dressing-room 


Judith’s Discovery 


215 


couch. ^^You may not like it very much, 
Elinor ” 

Nonsense! Don’t put such ideas in 
her head,” cried Patricia stabbing her hat- 
pins into her hat to secure it on the hanger. 

course, she’ll be sorry for part of it, 
but right is right, and justice ought to be 
done. But there. I’ll blab it all myseK if 
I don’t look out. Hurry up, Judy, let’s 
get the cocoa stewing while Elinor prinks.” 

They had the table arranged in gala 
array, and the cocoa steaming in its recep- 
tacle, before Elinor and Margaret Howes 
joined them. 

Griffin says not to wait — ^she’s got to 
finish stretching a canvas,” Margaret Howes 
told them, but Patricia and Judith would 
not hear to beginning the little feast with- 
out the staunch and genial Griffin. 

“There’s no hurry, anyway,” insisted 
Patricia. “The cocoa will keep hot on 
the corner of the stove and the rest of the 
things don’t matter. You girls haven’t 
any classes this afternoon, so we have an 
oternity to feed in.” 

They loitered about the room, chatting 


216 


Miss Pat at School 


at various tables, and were taken by 
surprise at last by the breathless arrival 
of their late guest. She hailed them with 
an air of the bearer of important news, and 
as soon as they were ensconced in their 
comer with the cocoa safely bestowed on a 
stool at Patricians right hand, she opened 
her heart. 

Awful row in the Committee room,’^ 
she announced gleefully. “Good old 
Greenie marched right in to the grave and 
reverend seniors while they were in session 
just now, and she gave them ballyhoo. 
She called it a remonstrance in the cause of 
justice, but, my word, it was ripping 
“What was it all about?^’ asked Patricia, 
much diverted by the picture of the mourn- 
ful monitor facing the dreaded Board. 
“What did she say?^^ 

GriflSn chuckled. “You see, I was in 
the ante-room, cataloguing the prints — ^you 
know I got that job last week. Well, the 
Board was droning on in the big room in 
their usual uninteresting fashion and I was 
deep in admiration of a Rembrandt etch- 
ing — that one with the hat and the open 


Judith’s Discovery 


217 


window behind him — when Green sails 
past me, head up and majesty writ large 
on her bulging brow. She always does 
put on lugs when she reports to the Com- 
mittee, so I didn’t sit up and take notice 
right away. But in a minute or two I 
came to life, I can tell you! She was 
rolling off the sentences about ^injustice 
to a high-minded student’ and ^unnec- 
essary humiliation’ and ^reparation to one 
who was an ornament to any school,’ and 
a lot of other junk like that. I tell you, I 
could have hugged the old girl ! The 
Board just sat still, like school-boys caught 
stealing jam, and she went on, getting more 
flowery all the time.” 

^^But what — ” began Patricia again. 

Grifiin waved her to silence. All of a 
sudden she seemed to realize that she was 
giving .them a drubbing instead of a gentle 
rebuke. She hauled in her sails and stood 
winking at them behind her huge spec- 
tacles, while they all sat staring at her. 
It was a picture, I can tell you. Then dear 
old Farrer cleared his throat in that nerv- 
ous way he has, and he bowed to Bottle 


218 


Miss Pat at School 


Green as though she were the finest ever. 
^We have heard with surprise and I am 
sure with regret/ he says, ^Miss Greenes 
account of this matter. I think we will all 
agree that an investigation should be under- 
taken, and if there has been injustice done, 
such reparation as is possible shall be 
made.’ Then they came and closed the 
door and I lit out for here. You’ve got a 
fine champion, Kendall Major, and we’ll 
all see you through if it comes to a public 
demonstration, you can gamble on that!” 

Elinor’s face was perplexed. ^^But I 
don’t see what can be done,” she said 
gently. ^‘I’d hate to have the thing 
dragged up before the school again. Of 
course, if it had been denied right then 
and there, I’d have been very glad, but 
now, after all these days ” 

'^It’s only a week,” protested Margaret 
Howes, firmly. ^^We had to wait till the 
Board met, you know.” 

‘^They can make an announcement, just 
as the prize announcement was made,” 
explained GriflSn, drumming impatiently 
on the table. ‘^You may be too modest 


Judith^s Discovery 


219 


to be there, but it can be put through 
without you, and you will be cleared, don^t 
you see?^^ 

“Is Miss Green still in the Committee 
room?^’ asked Patricia suddenly. 

“Of course,'^ returned Grifl^, shortly. 
“She had other reports to make. She 
usually stays about half an hour, she'll 
be longer today. Why?" 

“I thought I'd like to have her here," 
she said, with a sidelong glance at Judith. 
“We've found out something about " 

She stopped, trying to arrange her 
speech so as to present the intended dis- 
closure in the clearest form possible, but 
Judith, whose cheeks had been burning at 
Griffin's account of the interview in the 
Committee room, took the words out of 
her mouth. 

“We've found out all about it!" she 
cried triumphantly. “Doris Leighton 
copied Elinor's design, and put it in ahead 
of Elinor! I know all about it, and I'll 
tell Miss Green and the whole committee, 
too, if I have to!" 

Griffin was the first of the three to 


220 


Miss Pat at School 


recover. She leaned forward, a thin, 
eager hand on Judith’s arm. 

^‘Say that again, young one,” she de- 
manded imperatively. “Make it good 
and plain this time.” 

Judith repeated her startling statement, 
adding that she had proof for everything 
she said. Her manner was so genuine 
and convincing that Griflfin started up 
with a quick gesture of command. 

“Don’t say another word till I get 
back,” she said, authoritatively, and 
was gone before any questions could be 
formed. 

They sat in absolute silence, absently 
watching the occupants of the now nearly 
deserted tables straggle out in twos and 
threes, until the room was quite empty, 
and Patricia could bear it no longer. 

“We don’t have to petrify, do we?” 
she said, with a nervous ripple. “GriSin 
may keep us sitting here for hours ” 

Judith’s dramatic sense asserted itself, 
and she frowned at Patricia’s frivolous 
interruption of the portentous silence. 

“Do be still. Miss Pat,” she said sedately. 


Judith’s Discovery 


221 


“WeVe waited two whole days already — 
five minutes more won’t hurt us.” 

Margaret Howes glanced at Elinor, as 
she sat quietly with chin in one pink 
palm, her brows drawm level and her dark 
eyes steady and thoughtful. 

You’re a wonder, Kendall Major,” 
she broke out. ^^Here am I all fluffed 
up and on positive pins and needles over 
this affair, while you are as calm as a 
picture. Don’t you feel excited? Aren’t 
you wild to hear what it is?” 

Elinor laid her hands on the table and 
Patricia could see that the fingers were 
twisted together until the knuckles showed 
white. 

^^Of course, I am anxious,” she said 
evenly. ^^But I’ve had a different sort 
of life from most girls, and it’s taught me 
that there’s always a lot more to any 
surprise than we’re looking for. I’ve been 
wondering just how much pain there’s 
going to be, back of the pleasure of being 
set right in the eyes of the school.” 

There oughtn’t to be any for ?/ow,” 
said Margaret Howes, impulsively laying 


222 


Miss Pat at School 


her hand on Elinor^s. There isnT any- 
thing coming to you but plain every-day 
satisfaction in getting your rights/’ 

^^Ah, but how about Doris?” questioned 
Elinor sadly. Isn’t she to be remem- 
bered?” 

“Why should she be?” returned the 
other warmly. “Did she have any thought 
for anything but her own parade when 
she pretended to be sorry for you? There’s 
such a thing as carrying virtue too far, 
my dear girl, and I think you’re straining 
your charity with too fine a sieve.” 

Elinor smiled a wistful little puckered 
smile. “Perhaps I am rather lop-sided 
in my feelings,” she confessed. “I always 
feel so dreadfully sorry for the wrong- 
doers, and the less they care the sorrier 
I am.” 

Patricia had opened her lips to sustain 
Margaret Howes’ point of view, when 
GrifHn, followed by Miss Green, came 
breathlessly in to the room. 

“Now we’re all ready,” she said eagerly 
when they had made room for the gen- 
erous figure of the monitor. “Fire away 


Judith’s Discovery 


223 


with your tale, young one, and don’t 
spare the details. We’re game for any 
length of story, so long as you can prove it.” 

Judith, with her cheeks flushing and 
paling and her composed tones carrying 
conviction, laid the story of her discoveries 
before them, telling them how she had 
thought of it first ^^for fun, like a plot for 
a story,” and then how she had remem- 
bered that Doris Leighton had Elinor’s 
keys with access to the locker where the 
two studies for the prize designs were 
left that night that Elinor was taken ill; 
how she had discovered through Doris’ 
younger sister that Doris had made her 
study for the Roberts prize from a little 
rough color sketch ^^just like Elinor had.” 

^^I’d heard her say the Saturday that 
Miss Jinny came to see us that she never 
made sketches beforehand,” said Judith, 
earnestly. ^^And she told Patricia the 
very day Elinor fainted that she hadn’t 
begun her study. So I pretended to my- 
self that we were all in a story, and I 
thought and thought what I should make 
of it if I were reading about it all instead 


224 


Miss Pat at School 


of living in it. Then I saw that the thing 
to do was to find out if Doris Leighton had 
the little color sketch that she used for 
her study, and compare it with Elinor’s.” 

Here Elinor gave a start, and then com- 
posed herself as Judith went on. 

hunted and hunted for Elinor’s, 
which I knew very well, for it was made 
on the back of one of my old tablets, 
but I couldn’t find it. Geraldine couldn’t 
find the one Doris used either, and then 
I got awfully interested. I told Geraldine 
that I was making up a story and I wanted 
to act it all out in life, and she was glad 
to help. She was mad at Doris anyway, 
and so she hunted ever3rwhere for her 
sketch, but she couldn’t find it. I was 
pretty near giving up then, for I thought 
I was mistaken; but the men were just 
making ready to take out Leighton’s ashes 
when I thought, like a flash, ‘There’s 
where it would be, if anywhere,’ and I 
told Geraldine. So we got sticks and we 
rummaged. My gracious, but it was 
dusty!” 

Patricia gave a gasp of comprehension. 


Judith^s Discovery 


225 


^■That’s what made you so grimy that 
day Mrs. Halden came in for tea!’^ she 
exclaimed. 

Judith nodded. ^^We found it!’’ she 
went on, growing more excited as the end 
approached. ^^We found it, all in little 
bits, along with other stuff from Doris’ 
waste basket!” 

The girls looked at one another in 
shamed silence. The actual discovery of 
the deception was so much more discon- 
certing than they had foreseen. They 
seemed to visualize Doris Leighton as 
she tore those guilty fragments and hid 
them in the rubbish, and the sight sickened 
them. 

GriflSn held out a hand for Judith’s 
envelope. You’ll verify these, Kendall?” 
she said brusquely, pushing the bulky oblong 
across the table to Elinor. 

Spread out on the cloth, the scraps 
pieced perfectly into the study that Elinor 
had made for the Roberts prize. The 
back showed the stamp of the Keystone 
tablet, with Judith’s name partly erased 
and Doris’ scribbled over it. 


15 


226 


Miss Pat at School 


my sketch/’ admitted Elinor in 
a low tone. missed it the next day, 
but I thought Miss Pat had dropped it 
when she brought my things home to me. 
My study was almost done, and I forgot 
all about it after that.” 

There was a disconcerting silence, while 
Judith breathed hard and kept her eyes 
glued on Miss Green. 

Suddenly Patricia spoke. ^^It’s a horrid 
mess, and I’m sorry that it had to come 
out, but there’s no use shirking, is there? 
If someone, no matter who, stole your hat, 
you’d feel they should be brought to 
justice. Isn’t stealing an idea a lot worse? 
I don’t really think you ought to feel so 
badly, Elinor. If Doris Leighton could 
do such a thing, and then be friends with 
you afterward, she isn’t worth breaking 
your heart over. I felt badly enough when 
Ju told me, but I’ve kept getting madder 
and madder, as I’ve seen how she goes 
on acting her part of kind friend to you.” 

Miss Green rose majestically and Griffin 
sprang up at the same time. 

“I shall ask to be allowed to have the 


Judith’s Discovery 


227 


evidence/^ said the impressive representa- 
tive of justice. There is no time to be 
lost. Come, Miss Griffin, I shall need 
you and Miss Howes too.^’ 

At the door she turned, with expansive 
kindliness. 

^^Do not distress yourself, my dear Miss 
Kendall,^’ she said, benignantly. There 
is no cause for apprehension. Absolute 
secrecy and perfect amenity will prevail. 
You will be sent for later perhaps, but 
nothing unpleasant will occur. Depend 
upon it, the Board will welcome this reve- 
lation of the true state of affairs, and will 
do its duty gently.” 


CHAPTER XIII 


BESTITUTION 

I 

a y'VlD you see Elinor?'^ whispered 
I 1 Judith to Patricia, as she edged 
her way to her in the packed 
assembly room. 

Patricia shook her head. She’s with 
Grifiin and Bottle Green,” she answered 
under her breath. ^^What do you want 
her for?” 

Judith’s bow was on one eye and her 
hat under her arm, showing that she had 
made great haste to join the growing 
crowd in the first antique room. She 
looked even more agitated than Patricia 
had expected her to be. 

What’s the matter?” insisted Patricia, 
nudging her to compel her attention, but 
Judith’s gaze was wandering all about in 
search of Elinor, and she answered absently. 

There she is, up on the stand with 
Grifiin,” she murmured in dismay. 

( 228 ) 


Restitution 


229 


can never let her know. I wish I could 
catch her eye; can^t you signal her, Miss 
Pat? You’re taller than I am.” 

What’ll I tell her, if I do?” demanded 
Patricia indignantly. haven’t any idea 
what you want to telegraph?” 

^^Tell her Bruce Haydon is here,” said 
Judith. ^^Oh, there she goes! I was afraid 
you couldn’t get her. She’s sitting down 
beside Miss Green now, and we’ll never 
be able to let her know.” 

^ ^ Bruce Haydon ! ’ ’ exclaimed Patricia, ’ 
astonished. ^^Why, he’s in Italy, isn’t he? 
Elinor had a letter yesterday ” 

^^He’s here all the same,” said Judith, 
interrupting her surprise. ''And he sent 
a message to Elinor, so she’d be prepared, 
I guess. But I simply can’t get to her 
now. She’ll have to find it out for herself.” 

"What’s Bruce doing here?” asked Pa- 
tricia, as they resigned themselves to the 
inevitable and prepared to await the event. 

"He says he finished his studies, and has 
come back because he wanted to keep an 
eye on you two art students,” replied 
Judith. "He looks awfully well. You 


230 


Miss Pat at School 


ought to have seen them stare when he 
grabbed me up and kissed me in the cor- 
ridor just now/^ 

Patricia gave a happy sigh. ^^It^U be 
good to have him around again/ ^ she said 
appreciatively. never knew how weak 
in the knees I was until this very moment. 
Things are bound to go right with Bruce 
hovering around. I hope Elinor sees him. 
She’s feeling mighty shaky right now, I 
fancy.” 

Isn’t it queer how wobbly one feels?” 
commented Judith uneasily. We’ve been 
crazy for the time to come, and now we feel 
like running away. I know I’ll simply 
drop when Mr. Benton makes his speech.” 

'^Nonsense,” said Patricia stoutly, al- 
though her own knees were not too steady. 
^^Keep your eyes on Elinor, and remember 
how glad you are that she’s getting an offi- 
cial apology, after all the cheating and 
nastiness — then you won’t want to collapse.” 

Sounds like you were prescribing for 
yourself,” retorted Judith with a flash of 
intuition. ^^You look just as ” 

“Hush, he’s coming,” warned Patricia, 


Restitution 


231 


turning pale in spite of her brave words. 

Listen, he has begun.’’ 

Her eyes sought the pale pure outline 
of Elinor’s profile, caught between the in- 
tervening faces, and held it during the brief 
explanatory speech, wherein Mr. Benton 
paid his tribute to Elinor’s generous silence, 
and apologized in the name of the Board for 
the unjust accusation. She saw the wave of 
color sweep over it at the commendatory 
words, and the dark eyes fall under the 
shame of the hinted treachery of the un- 
named student whose face was in every 
one’s mind. Then at the next words she 
saw the light flash into full radiance, as Mr. 
Benton, with something in his extended 
hand, turned full toward Elinor where she sat. 

“And now. Miss Kendall,” he finished 
with grave satisfaction in every word. “It 
is my privilege to award to you the Roberts 
prize of one hundred dollars, in recognition 
of the meritorious work done by you in the 
late competition. Will you kindly come 
forward to receive it?” 

There was a general murmur of surprise 
and a following rustle of gratification. 


232 


Miss Pat at School 


Patricia’s eyes were too blurred with 
happy tears to see very clearly, but she 
made out Elinor’s figure bowing over the 
same purse that Doris Leighton had received 
ten short days ago, and she whispered to 
herself joyously, ^'Dear old Nom, they’ve 
more than paid up for all the horridness now, 
haven’t they? And you deserve it all, too.” 

Judith, whose eyes were still wide with 
astonishment, touched her arm. 

^^Did you know?” she asked breath- 
lessly. ^^Did anyone know she was going 
to get it?” 

“Can’t you tell by looking at them?” 
demanded Patricia. “Do they look as 
though they’d expected anything hke this? 
Of course we didn’t know. The Board 
didn’t even peep to Bottle Green, for she’s 
gaping like the rest.” 

“I see,” acknowledged Judith, sweeping 
the ringleaders with her sharp scrutiny. 
“They’re all simply stunned, but they’re 
mighty glad, too. They’re going to give 
the Academy Howl. Oh, Patricia, I wish 
I could howl, too!” 

“Go ahead, if you can do it,” said a 


Restitution 


233 


masculine voice at her elbow. ^^The Acad- 
emy won’t object, I’m sure.” 

Patricia turned with a gasp of delight. 

Bruce!” she cried delightedly. ^^You 
dear thing! You’ve come in the nick of 
time. Isn’t it splendid that Elinor’s won 
the prize? Did you hear about it? Aren’t 
you perfectly crazy over it?” 

Bruce laughed good-naturedly as he shook 
hands. 

^'I can’t undertake to answer aU that at 
once, Miss Pat,” he said. ^^Let’s go find what 
Elinor thinks about it.” 

He pushed a way for them to the group 
which surrounded the flushed and gracious 
recipient of the Roberts prize, and before 
Patricia quite realized how he did it, he had 
them ensconced with Elinor in a cozy corner 
of the print room, and had heard the whole 
story of the stolen design. 

It’s a good thing you two innocents have 
a responsible person like Judith to look after 
you,” he said seriously. “ I don’t know what 
you’d do without a protector to play 
providence for you.” 

Judith flushed and tossed her mane with 


234 


Miss Pat at School 


a gratified air. Oh, they don’t think much 
of me,” she rejoined. ^^They make fun of 
me lots of times.” 

“Is that so?” said Bruce, with great 
concern. “I’m sorry to hear that. I teU 
you what, Judy, we’ll form a partnership, 
you and I, and we’ll see to it that they 
behave themselves better in the future. 
They’ve proved that they can’t take proper 
care of themselves, so we’ll have to play 
guardian angels.” 

Elinor merely smiled her gentle, affection- 
ate smile, but Patricia rippled out in mock- 
ing laughter. 

“I like that!” she cried. “Who took 
care of us all those years when we were poor 
and alone in the world? It’s late in the day 
for Elinor to need protectors.” 

“Nevertheless, she’s going to have ’em,” 
declared Bruce with undisturbed geniality. 
“You may mock us and you may shock us 
and you may say you don’t care, but we’re 
on the job for keeps, aren’t we, Judith, 
ma chhre? And the first step we’re going 
to take in our new position is to drag you 
both off to luncheon this very minute. 


Restitution 


235 


You’d best give in gracefully, for both 
Judy and I are fearfully strong and fero- 
cious.” 

Judith giggled, but Patricia rose briskly, 
guess you won’t have to chloroform us 
to drag us there this time,” she retorted. 
^^I’m glad we’re presentable, anyway. Aren’t 
you thankful I made you put on your best 
duds, Norn? There’s nothing hke being 
contented when one feeds, and I couldn’t 
partake of the stalled ox with any satisfac- 
tion in my old school rags.” 

Judith cuddled close to Bruce on the 
settee while Elinor went for her wraps. 

Patricia’s awfully superficial, I think,” 
she confided to him cheerfully, as she 
watched her readjusting her bright hair 
beneath the pretty hat rim at the quaint 
old mirror of the bookcase. She’s so 
set on pretty things. She just worships 
anyone who is pretty — ^no matter whether 
she understands their character or not. 
I wish we could make her more serious- 
minded and careful.” 

'Tooh,” said Patricia, turning from her 
own reflection with a gay laugh. “You 


236 


Miss Pat at School 


don^t need to try. I do worship beauty, 
and I always shall. I like to laugh and 
sing and be happy. I like blue skies 
because God made them that way. And 
I don’t think a pink rose is wickeder for 
being pink than if it were grubby gray. 
I think being happy is the serious business 
of hfe — when you take other people in 
with you — and I reckon God thinks so 
too.” 

^^Pa-tri-cia!” ejaculated Judith in prim 
rebuke, but Bruce gave her hand a restrain- 
ing squeeze, and Patricia went on, glowing 
with earnestness. 

There isn’t any more goodness in dis- 
mal looks, no, nor half so much, as in 
happy faces. Don’t the cherubim sing 
eternally? Is there anything said about 
dark days in the New Jerusalem? I’m 
ashamed of you, Judith Kendall, for not 
knowing that it’s twice as brave and good 
to be cheerful and pretty as it is to be 
moping and dull. Look at Elinor — would 
we love her if she’d been fussing about the 
hard times we had? Not much! Every 
bright smile she had for those horrid 


Restitution 


237 


times has made her more adorable to me 
and I look on every bit of happiness we 
had in those poor days as just so much 
wrested from the powers of darkness.’’ 
She stopped suddenly, with a little gasp of 
embarrassment, as Elinor entered. 

'^Patricia’s spouting again,” remarked 
Judith with the serene cruelty of extreme 
youth. "I didn’t mind, because I’m used 
to it, but I guess Bruce is thankful you 
didn’t keep us any longer, Elinor.” 

Bruce rose and held out his hand to 
Patricia, who was flushing painfully. 

"Don’t mind the kid. Miss Pat dear,” 
he said, with his most winning smile. "She 
doesn’t know any better yet. Your reli- 
gion is the sort we’ve got to grow into, and, 
even then, some of us aren’t ever quite 
big enough to realize it.” 

Judith’s face had been undergoing swift 
changes during this short speech, but now 
it cleared and a beatific expression shone 
upon it. 

"I know what you mean, now, Miss 
Pat,” she declared loftily. "I’ve read it 
in Stevenson’s verses, about 'those who 


238 


Miss Pat at School 


. . . sow gladness in the peopled lands/ 
Isn^t that it, Bruce? I didn’t quite under- 
stand the way Patricia put it, but I think 
it’s perfectly lovely, really I do.” 

Bruce pinched her cheek, with a tolerant 
laugh. 

^^It’s all right, so long as it’s in a book, 
eh?” he asked. ^^What a perfect little 
chameleon you are, Judy Kendall. I 
don’t know whether to take you into the 
grand surprise that I’m going to spring on 
these two young ladies, or leave you at 
the nearest library while I disclose my 
dark projects. What do you say, Eli- 
nor?” 

Elinor slipped Judith’s nervous hand into 
her muff within her own. 

think we might let her share with us 
this time,” she said gently, and Judith’s 
relief was beautiful to behold. 

Bruce says we’re going to a French 
restaurant,” she announced proudly. 
hope I can remember enough French to 
talk politely. Mademoiselle makes us say 
so many fine sentences when we have our 
^calling days’ in the French class that I 


Restitution 


239 


get awfully twisted and never know whether 
I^m masculine or feminine/^ 

^^You won’t need to think about it 
here,” said Bruce. “The waiters are both 
Belgians and they speak English pretty 
well. You know that English is taught in 
the public schools in Belgium, and even 
the little children can say a few words to 
you. It’s the old folks that don’t under- 
stand.” 

Judith flew back to his side, pushing 
Patricia ahead to Elinor. 

“Oh, do tell me all about it,” she pleaded, 
and Bruce, with his customary good nature, 
launched into a very diverting account of 
the habits and customs of the Flemings 
and the year spent among them in his 
student days. 

The first breath of spring was in the air, 
softening the chill of the crowded streets 
with warming sunshine and a hint of the 
coming miracle of the yearly resurrection. 
The shops were filled with the crisp, fresh- 
tinted goods of the nearing season, and 
here and there among the smartly dressed 
women was a modish straw hat brighten- 


240 


Miss Pat at School 


ing the winter furs and velvets. Patricians 
cup was full and running over. She had 
no need for speech with Elinor, but she 
kept giving her hands quick little squeezes 
in her muff, while now and again they 
exchanged swift telegraphic glances of ap- 
preciation. 

Bruce swung the door for them, and they 
passed into a little narrow shop-like place. 

Judith’s eyes were wide and dismayed. 

“I don’t think this is very nice,” she 
whispered as Bruce was exchanging a few 
words with the smiling proprietor in the 
little cage behind the tiny counter. 

^^Hush,” cautioned Patricia, using her 
eyes industriously. '^It must be all right, 
or Bruce wouldn’t have brought us. I 
like it. The floor is sanded, Judy! And 
those people at the snippy little tables 
under the stairs are French — ^just hear 
them gabble to the waiter.” 

Judith recovered sufficiently to take 
notice. 

There isn’t any table — ” she had be- 
gun, still with slight protest in her voice, 
when Bruce ushered them up the narrow 


Restitution 


241 


vertical stair to the larger room above 
where more tables and windows made a 
cozy dining place for about a dozen people. 

The waiter, a broad-faced Belgian, rushed 
forward with a smile of genuine welcome 
and a flourish of the spotless towel which 
he wore upon his left shoulder, and, with 
a few murmured words in French, motioned 
them to a table by the front window. 

When they were being settled in their 
places, Judith found opportunity to whisper 
to Bruce, who immediately turned to the 
Belgian, who was helping Patricia remove 
her coat. 

^^You have good custom today, Frangois,^^ 
he said with a gesture toward the chat- 
tering groups at the other tables. 

The waiter bowed as he folded the coat 
carefully. 

^^Yes, Mr. Haydon, sir,^’ he said clearly. 
^^We do not complain. Our trade keeps 
up, sir. We are the same as when you 
left, sir. We do not complain.’^ 

Patricia laughed at Judith^s expression, 
as she watched Frangois whisk away to the 
dumb-waiter in the far corner of the little 


16 


242 


Miss Pat at School 


apartment, and roar stentorian commands 
in indistinguishable French to an unseen 
source of supply below. 

'^He just uses his French to plot his dark 
plots with, Judy darlinV^ she said, merrily. 
^^You needn’t try to make them out, for 
he doesn’t intend you to.” 

heard ^Chateaubriand,’ anyway,” re- 
torted Judith triumphantly. ^^And that 
means beefsteak. So I did understand 
something, you see.” 

Bruce made a gesture of mock despair. 
“Heavens, I’m discovered!” he cried, with 
a twinkle. “Judy knows just what she’s 
going to have for lunch, and there won’t 
be any surprise, after all.” 

Patricia looked inquiringly at him. 

“Is that the grand surprise you meant, 
Bruce Haydon? Sure you aren’t fooling 
us? Oh, you are! You’ve got somethii'ig 
else — I know it by your eyes. You look 
awfully guilty.” 

“Do I?” asked Bruce innocently. “I 
wish there was a mirror here so I could see 
how that looks. Here comes Frangois with 
the bouillon and omelets. Don’t let him 


Restitution 


243 


see me, please, till IVe gotten up a better 
expression/’ 

Frangois served them deftly, while still 
attending to all the other tables, and 
Patricia, in the intervals of merry chatter, 
wondered at the innumerable bits of respect- 
ful conversation he managed to supply his 
patrons in addition to his very satisfactory 
table service, and she said so to Bruce, just 
as the dessert had been placed and Frangois 
had withdrawn to a party of newcomers. 

Bruce, however, was remarkably absent 
in his reply. 

'^Yes, he’s a wonder,” he said, cracking 
nuts studiously. “I hope he’s as good on 
breakfasts as he used to be.” 

Breakfast!” cried Patricia, bubbling. 
'^Are we going to keep on eating till ” 

^^No, no, I didn’t mean that,” returned 
Bruce hastily. was thinking of some- 
thing else.” 

^^The surprise, I am sure,” announced 
Judith calmly. Let’s try to guess what 
it is, like charades or Dumb Crambo. You 
can tell us if we guess right, Bruce. I^U 
begin first.” 


244 


Miss Pat at School 


Bruce laid down his cracker with a grin, 
you don’t, young ’un,” he said deci- 
sively. not going to turn my choicest 

possession into a puzzle department. I’m 
going to spring it myself, right now.” 

All eyes were upon him as he crumpled 
his napkin into a hard ball and crushed it 
between his flexible fingers, while his face 
assumed an earnest and rather anxious 
expression. 

“I am going to ask you to think first and 
speak last,” he began. “I don’t want you 
to go into it hastily or unless you’re quite 
sure you will like it.” 

We’ll like it, all right enough, if you have 
a hand in it,” Patricia assured him 
heartily. 

^^It’s a scheme I’ve been thinking of for 
nearly a month now, and I’ve made all the 
arrangements before I came home; but if 
it doesn’t appeal to you — well, there are 
no bones broken, and I can easily fix it up 

with Miss J that is, I can make other 

arrangements.” 

Judith gave an impatient wriggle, but it 
was Patricia again who spoke. 


Restitution 


245 


‘‘Please, please, do tell us what it is! 
Suspense is so awful!” 

Bruce cocked his head on one side medi- 
tatively. “I^U make a stab at it,” he ac- 
ceded, and then paused, while they waited 
in breathless silence. 

“IVe taken a studio apartment, and IVe 
got someone to keep house — ^just for a 
month — and I^m banking on you all coming 
to spend that month with me. I want you 
to have this chance at some outside work,” 
he said to Elinor. “I’m not so keen on this 
academic work for a steady job. I want you 
to keep up your life class, of course, but 
there’s a big lot of education lying around 
in the studios for this short time anyway. 
I may not be able to offer it to you again, 
as I’ll have to be off as soon as this contract 
is finished. Will you come?” 

Elinor sat looking at him with her eyes 
shining, and then she drew a quick breath. 

“I think it would be perfectly glorious,” 
she said gratefully. “It’s wonderful that 
you should bother with us. I can’t thank 
you ” 

“Don’t want any thanks,” returned Bruce 


246 


Miss Pat at School 


gruflSy. ^^Your aunt would understand 
it. I^m only beginning to pay my debt to 
her, and it^s going to take a mighty long 
while, too.^^ 

Patricia held out her hand across the 
cloth. can’t kiss you, but here’s the 
substitute. You’re a ducfc, Bruce Haydon. 
Where is the studio?” 

Bruce laughed in a relieved way. That’s 
the way to talk, Miss Pat. I’ll show it to 
you as soon as you’ve all finished. Judy, 
haven’t you anything to say?” 

Judith finished dabbling her fingers in the 
finger-bowl, and wiped them daintily. Then 
she raised her clear eyes to the expectant 
company. 

'^The only thing I’m afraid of is that Mrs. 
Hudson won’t let us go a whole month 
sooner,” she said with the calmness of 
despair. suppose I’ll have to stay there 
all by myself, just because I’m the youngest 
and not an artist. But I tell you all this — 
I’m not going to stay alone. I’ll get Mrs. 
Shelly to come in ” 

^^Good idea, Judy,” said Bruce encourag- 
ingly. We’ll see what we can do about 


Restitution 


247 


it. Come along now, we’re going to inspect 
the new premises. You girls get your duds 
on while I settle up. It’s only around the 
corner, and we’ll be there in a jiffy.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


NEW QUAKTERS AND OLD FRIENDS 

T hey went up in the little box of an 
elevator, and as they got out, 
Bruce jingled his keys invitingly, 
let you open the door — ^for luck, 
Judy,'’ he said, holding out a key. ^^See 
if you can guess which door it belongs 
to." 

Judith scanned the doors critically, her 
brows puckered and her head aslant. 

We-e-U," she said, slowly revolving so as 
to see each hall in turn. take the one 

just ahead there. It hasn't any card on 
the door and all the others have." 

Clever child!" commended Bruce. 
'^That escaped my notice. You're right, 
of course. Go ahead. Open up.' 

Judith put the key in its lock, turned it 
easily and then swung the door wide, but 
before the others could catch even a glimpse 
of the interior, she gave a little squeaking 

( 248 ) 


New Quarters and Old Friends 249 


cry and rushed in, leaving the door to bang 
after her. 

'"Well, of all things!^’ exclaimed Patricia 
indignantly. We’re locked out ! ” 

We can ring if Bruce has no other key,” 
said Elinor hastily. “She’ll surely let us 
in.” 

So, as there was no other key, Patricia 
put her finger to the bell on the lintel and 
kept it there till the knob rattled and the 
door was flung open wide. Judith was 
standing in the middle of the big, comfort- 
able studio and her face was fiushed, but 
not one word did she say in explanation of 
her singular behavior. 

Elinor and Patricia were so occupied 
with the room that she almost escaped 
reproof, but Patricia, as she turned from 
admiring the stairway that wound up one 
side of the studio to a nook in the peaked 
roof above, caught a very knowing look on 
her little sister’s face which was meant for 
Bruce, and she pounced on her immediately. 

“What is the matter with you today, 
Ju?” she asked in an undertone, “I do 
wish you’d behave yourself. Bruce will be 


250 


Miss Pat at School 


sorry he asked us if we’re going to act like 
wild Indians.” 

Judith’s only reply was a giggle. 

Bruce and Elinor were inspecting the 
rooms on the other side of the studio, and 
had passed out of sight behind the second 
doorway. Patricia forgot her censorship 
as the spirit of the explorer rose in her. 

“Let’s look at these rooms, Ju,” she pro- 
posed, with a hand on the heavy curtain at 
her right. 

Judith caught her hand with a cry of 
dismay. 

“It’s not fair, till Elinor comes, too!” 
she protested hotly. “Wait, they’ll be 
back. I’ll call them.” 

But Patricia, with a laugh, broke from 
her and lifted the curtain. 

“Elinor didn’t wait for us,” she began 
gayly, “and I’m not ” 

She broke off with her mouth and eyes 
opened to their widest, for there in the chair 
by the cozy grate sat Mrs. SheUy, while 
Miss Jinny stood chuckling her husky 
chuckle and rubbing her elbows nervously 
with both hands. 


New Quarters and Old Friends 251 


'^TheyVe come to stay!^^ shouted Judith 
in wild excitement. “They’re going to be 
here the whole month! Wasn’t it lovely 
of Bruce to get them, and won’t it be tram- 
Cendant, with all of us together!” 

Patricia had for once no words, but she 
fell on Miss Jinny’s willing neck, and to 
Judith’s great wonder and Mrs. Shelly’s 
delight, she kissed Miss Jinny with ^eat 
vigor and despatch. 

“You duck!” she cried, and, although 
Judith gasped and paled at the audacious 
epithet. Miss Jinny merely chuckled and 
patted her tenderly and then passed her on 
to the smiling, pink-cheeked little old lady 
in the rocker. 

Such a time as they had all together when 
Elinor and Bruce joined them! And such a 
happy circle as they made around the 
studio fire, as twilight came on and the 
shadows crept out from the vast comers of 
the big room, and they made plans for the 
future and compared notes as to the past 
months of separation, with the cheerful flicker 
leaping and flaring on their ruddy faces, 
quite as it had in the old house at Rockham. 


252 


Miss Pat at School 


^^Do you remember how we planned for 
this year?’^ said Patricia, her chin on her 
hand and her eyes on the leaping flame. 
^^That was at Christmas time, only three 
short months ago, and weVe all broken our 
plans already. David and Judy are the 
only ones who have stuck to theirs, and that 
is mainly because they can’t help them- 
selves. Here am I, studying at the Acad- 
emy, after vowing I’d not waste money on 
myself at all. Elinor is dropping half her 
studies there and starting on an entirely 
new com*se — Interior Decoration and Stained 
Glass — under Mr. Bruce Haydon’s personal 
supervision ; and as for Mrs. Shelly and Miss 
Jinny — they are so far out of their plans 
I don’t believe they’ll ever get back into 
them again.” 

Miss Jinny gave a snort of defiance. 
“Just you wait tiU this month is over, 
Patricia Louise Kendall,” she said belliger- 
ently. “I’U be back in that old rut so tight 
you won’t be able to see where I ran in 
again. Not go back to housekeeping with 
mama, indeed! I’ll bet that I put up as 
many extra pickles and jams this year as I 


New Quarters and Old Friends 253 


ever did, and with the exception of having 
the library and you people and the Haldens 
again, I don^t see much change ahead of 
me, I can tell you!^’ 

Patricia sighed and stretched herself 
luxuriantly. 

'^Well, I haven’t any complaint to make 
with the new arrangements,” she said 
expansively. “Things keep getting deli- 
ciouser and deliciouser all the time. I only 
wish we didn’t have to go back to the board- 
ing house tonight ” 

“Indeed, you’re not going to budge a 
step!” said Miss Jinny triumphantly. “We 
planned it all out. You’re to stay here and 
begin to be at home right off. You can go 
and pack tomorrow and have your things 
sent over as soon as you please.” 

“But,” insisted Elinor, “we haven’t 
anything ” 

Again Miss Jinny interrupted. 

“I got your negligees and all from Mrs. 
Hudson this morning,” she chuckled. 
“She knows you won’t be back, and she’s 
just as well pleased, for she’s a good chance 
to rent your rooms right away, and I told 


254 


Miss Pat at School 


her to go ahead. She^ll keep your things 
till tomorrow or the next day. Now, come 
along and choose bunks, though there 
isn’t much choice, for there is only one 
big room with three beds in it. Mama 
and I are right next to you, you see.” 

The rooms on the right of the studio, 
a small one with a double bed in it for 
Miss Jinny and her mother, and the enor- 
mous room with the three beds for the 
girls, were separated by a tiled bath and 
were quite remote from the rooms on the 
other side, where was a corresponding 
small room to be used for a sitting-room, 
and a shghtly larger one for Bruce. Alto- 
gether, the arrangement was as satisfactory 
as could be wished and everyone was 
enthusiastic over the many comforts and 
conveniences that the place boasted. 

Fortunate that Symons had to hurry 
off to South America for that commis- 
sion, wasn’t it?” said Bruce, rubbing his 
hands before the fire. ^'We couldn’t have 
got a snugger place, and just for the length 
of time we want it. I told Miss Jinny it 
would be flying in the face of Providence 


New Quarters and Old Friends 255 


for her to refuse to come and occupy 
it.’’ 

Judith had been studying the problem 
of the rooms, and now put her question. 
^^But where are we to have our meals?” 
she ventured. don’t see any dining- 
room.” 

^^They are coming in from Dufranne’s 
and we’re going to imbibe them in that 
room to the left,” replied Bruce with a 
wave toward the sitting-room. “When 
we feel hke it, we’re going to Dufranne’s 
for them.” He turned to Mrs. Shelly 
with an air of charming courtesy that 
sat well on his strong face. “Are you 
still in the humor for dining out, madam? ” 
he asked, in a tone easily heard by her. 

Mrs. Shelly nodded, smiled her twinkly 
smile and rose with alacrity. 

“I’ll put on my new bonnet,” she prom- 
ised, and trotted off to her room, smooth- 
ing the tails of her basque with eager 
fingers. 

“She’s just as happy as a lark,” said 
Miss Jinny to the others. “I was so 
scared for fear she’d hate town fife, but. 


256 


Miss Pat at School 


lands alive, she takes to it like a duck 
to water. I shouldn’t wonder if it did 
her a lot of good. She’s been uncommonly 
quiet recently, and I believe she’s been 
missing you girls.” 

Mrs. Shelly in her new bonnet with a 
gay little pansy on it. Miss Jinny in an- 
other bran new hat, made quite a festive 
appearance, and the great humor of them 
both and their sincere pleasure in being 
so important a part in the little home 
group gave an added zest to the evening’s 
merry-making. 

^^Ju hasn’t let go of Mrs. Shelly’s hand 
since we left the restaurant,” said Patricia 
apart to Elinor, as they were taking off 
their wraps in the studio again. ''Poor 
little kid, she certainly does worship that 
dear little old lady.” 

"How she’d have adored mother, if 
she had only lived,” said Elinor softly. 
"Mother was so lovely. I always feel 
that you two have been cheated out of 
so much — ^not even to have a dim memory 
of her.” 

Patricia’s face grew wistful. "She went 


New Quarters and Old Friends 257 


away when I was so little/’ she murmured 
absently. “Sometimes I do fancy that 
I can recall how she looked as she kissed 
me good-bye in the big station, but it 
must be only fancy — one doesn’t remem- 
ber much at two years old. I can see just 
how Judy looked though, when they 
brought her home after mother died, and 
I was only three and a half then.” 

“What are you two conspirators hatch- 
ing up over there in the corner?” called 
Bruce from the fireside. “We’re making 
out our schedule, and you don’t know 
what you’re missing!” 

Settled in their places — they already had 
their own selected places in the ingle 
nook — ^with Mrs. Shelly rocking content- 
edly in the center of the half circle and 
Bruce smoking in the deep armchair, they 
grew enthusiastic again over the delight- 
ful prospect of the month that Bruce out- 
fined for them 

“Judy, of course, will go to school,” 
he said, blowing a little smoke ring at her. 
^^Miss Pat will go to the sculpturing as usual, 
but may have a hand in any game here 


17 


258 


Miss Pat at School 


that she is able to hold up. You^U learn 
a heap, Paddy Malone, if you keep those 
ears of yours open, for Grantly, the fellow 
who is doing the bas-reliefs for the State 
Capitol building, will be about occasionally, 
and he’s a cracker-jack in his line.” 

^^See here,” interrupted Miss Jinny, 
cocking her eyes severely at Bruce. “I’m 
not going to have Patricia hobnobbing 
vdth those Bohemians! 

Bruce roared with laughter. “My dear 
Dragon!” he cried, “don’t you be afraid 
of your precious charges. Grantly hasn’t 
any time to waste on young ’uns like 
Miss Pat. He’s working, I tell you, and 
he doesn’t like young ladies, anyway. 
Her only chance would be to overhear 
him spouting to me, which if she’s discreet 
she may occasionally be able to do.” 

“Oh, indeed!” said Miss Jinny subsid- 
ing. “Well, that’s another matter. I 
don’t object to that.” 

“Hope not,” retorted Bruce amiably. 
“Now as to Elinor.” He stopped for so 
many rings that Judith stirred and cleared 
her throat impatiently, whereon he grinned 


New Quarters and Old Friends 259 


cheerfully at her and went on. to 

Elinor. She will keep on with the night 
life, but the rest of her time will be spent 
in the studio here, working on studies and 
cartoons for a big wall decoration for a 
church, and a stained glass window for 
the same church — a purely mythical one, 
my dear Dragon, but intended to develop 
our promising student more rapidly than 
the easygoing method of the schools. What 
do you say to the program, young 
ladies? ” 

Patricia smiled at Elinor’s fervid response 
and Judith’s calm approval, but she uttered 
never a word, though Bruce looked at her 
inquiringly. 

^^Well?” he said at last. ^^WThat’s the 
verdict?” 

think it is simply great,” replied 
Patricia with a ripple of mirth. “I hon- 
estly do, Bruce. I’m going to have a 
gorgeous time, and I’m awfully grateful to 
you for it.” 

^^WeU?” he repeated. That’s not all 
you’re thinking. Miss Pat. You’re sim- 
pering at some hidden invention of your 


260 


Miss Pat at School 


own, and you know it. Out with it or 
we’ll put the X-rays on it.” 

Patricia flung a look at Miss Jinny. 

Really and truly I haven’t any secret to 
confess, Bruce. I was only thinking how 
very nice it was for us, Judy and me, 
that we had such a genius for a sister.” 

Miss Jinny’s eyes twinkled, but Bruce 
flushed and flicked his cigar ash into the 
fire with a dexterous finger. 

^^What has that to do with your meek 
and lowly gratitude?” he asked with the 
trace of a smile. 

^^It has everything to do with all of us,” 
responded Patricia promptly. “We’re just 
the tail of the comet, you know.” 

Bruce opened his eyes and sat up, piercing 
Patricia with a keen gaze. Evidently he 
found no reserve behind he" words, for he 
broke into a laugh and shook his head at 
her. 

“I’m in a regular nest of female detec- 
tives,” he retaliated gayly. “Between you 
and Judy I shan’t have a single secret left 
at the end of the month. I’ll have to watch 
myself like thunder. Miss Jinny, or they’ll 


New Quarters and Old Friends 261 


make a miserable hen-pecked man of 
me!’^ 

Miss Jinny grunted amiably at him, and 
then rose. guess you know what you’re 
about, Bruce Haydon. Don’t look to me 
to protect you, though, for I’m a mighty 
active feminist, and I can’t waste any of 
my valuable time taking care of such a 
common critter as a man. ” With a nod to 
the girls, she beckoned her mother. 

^^Time for bed, mama dear,” she said 
clearly. ^^I’ve got your ginger tea ready 
for you, and I guess it’s the last you’ll 
want this year.” In a lower tone she 
explained to the others: ^^Just brewed it 
to make her feel more at home, you know. 
She doesn’t need it in this fiery furnace of 
a place.” 

Mrs. Shelly, with a kindly good-night 
to Bruce, trotted after them, fumbling with 
her watch pocket. 

^'I declare, if it isn’t half-past ten!” 
she exclaimed, as she snapped the blue 
enameled lid of her little watch. ^^My 
little girl ought to have been in bed an hour 
ago.” 


262 


Miss Pat at School 


Judith twined her arms about her and 
kissed her fondly. 

^^It doesn’t matter just for tonight, does 
it, Mama Shelly?” she asked with pretty 
deference. There are going to be such 
a lot of nights to go to bed early in.” 

Mrs. Shelly nodded briskly. ^^And I’ll 
come sit with you while you’re getting 
ready,” she promised, patting Judith’s 
hand. '^We can have some good talks 
together then, and I’ll remember more 
stories for you, too.” 

Much to Judith’s delight she kissed them 
all around, and then she hustled off after 
Miss Jinny, leaving them to themselves 
in the big, comfortable room. 

Patricia flung herself on the fur rug that 
lay before the empty fireplace. 

^^I don’t feel as if I’d ever want to go to 
sleep,” she said rapturously. ^^It seems 
like a glorious dream that we’re going to 
live in this romantic place a whole month. 
Bruce is a perfect duck to fix it up so we can 
all be together. I shan’t study much here, I 
feel that in my bones, but I’ll have a gorgeous 
time. How do you feel about it, Judy?” 


New Quarters and Old Friends 263 


Judith sat with one stocking in her 
hand, dreaming, and she awoke with a 
start. 

going to write! she declared, 
dramatically waving the stocking about. 
^^This is truly inspiring!^’ 

Patricia gave a short laugh. '^Did it 
ever occur to you that our httle Judy might 
make a fair actress, Norn?’^ she asked, 
deftly catching the bare foot that supported 
Judith and bringing her down on the rug 
beside her. ^^Her passion for the limelight 
grows, I notice, and recent events have not 
tended to make her unmindful of her 
merits.’^ 

^^Oh, stop teasing. Miss Pat,’’ cried 
Judith, wriggling free. “I wouldn’t be an 
actress if you’d hire me. I’m going to be a 
writer, and now I’m going to bed. Good- 
night,” and she made a flying leap into her 
pillows and covered herself to the eyes. 

Don’t say another word to me tonight,” 
she warned, ^^or I’ll call Miss Jinny. I’m 
going to sleep.” 

Patricia yawned and rose. “I guess I’U 
follow her virtuous example. I’m really 


264 


Miss Pat at School 


getting awfully drowsy, now it^s so quiet, 
she confessed. 

Elinor was already half asleep when 
Patricia suddenly sat up with a mirthful 
gurgle. 

''What fun it'll be to tell the gang at the 
Academy," she crowed. "Won't Griffin 
rejoice and won't Doris Leighton wish she'd 
been good! Margaret Howes will have a 
chance to meet Bruce, too. It'll be a per- 
fect lark all around!" 

Elinor sighed in deep content. 

"Maybe Bruce will let Margaret work 
with me sometimes," she murmured joy- 
fully. "I know he's going to like Griffin 
tremendously; she's just the sort to fit in 
with us all. Miss Jinny's crazy over her. 
I don't believe we'll see poor Doris Leighton 
again. Grifiin told me she was leaving." 

Patricia cuddled down in the pillows 
again, with a chuckle. 

"Miss Jinny told me that Mr. Spicer had 
asked us all to tea at the Science and Arts 
Club," she said. "The Haldens are com- 
ing in for Easter and all the other holidays, 
and we're going to simply revel in delight- 


New Quarters and Old Friends 265 


ful doings right here in the studio. It’s a 
dream of goodly revelry, Nom, isn’t it?” 

“It means more than that to me,” replied 
Ehnor. “It means work — ^glorious, big, 
beautiful work ” 

“Do you know,” interrupted Patricia, 
suddenly alert again, “I don’t believe I’ll 
ever amourit to a row of pins as an artist? 
I always forget the work and think only 
of the people and the fun. I wonder if 
I can’t brace up and do something worth 
while. I’ll start in tomorrow — see if I 
don’t.” 


CHAPTER XV 


AFTERNOON TEA 

HE days slipped by with wonderful 



swiftness after the trunks had been 


unpacked and things had settled 
down to the regular routine. Patricia 
wondered at the evenness of their minds and 
the serenity of their hearts in those first 
three weeks of studio life. 

Everything goes so smoothly/’ she 
confidec lo Miss Jinny one day at the end 
of the fortnight. ^^It sounds monotonous, 
but I don’t mean it that way at all. We’re 
all so naturally polite and agreeable. We 
don’t seem to have to force ourselves a 
bit.” 

That’s because we’ve each of us got 
something to do,” declared Miss Jinny 
emphatically. ^^If we were idling around, 
musing on ourselves from morning till 
night like some poor creatures do, we’d 
get prickly mighty soon. People were 


( 266 ) 


Afternoon Tea 


267 


made to work, and it’s flying in the face of 
Providence to try to get away from it. We 
all got our share in the curse of Adam, and 
the sooner we realize it, the better for us.” 

Patricia played with the handle of the 
great glittering brass amphora that stood 
by the low stool where she sat. Her face 
was puzzled though not disquiet. 

wonder just what my work will turn 
out to be?” she said thoughtfully. ^H’m 
beginning to be afraid I haven’t any real 
work of my own. I’ve tried so hard to get 
on with the modeling — ^for I do love it — but 
it just seems as though I couldn’t. That 
first head that they liked so much, and the 
study of Ju is about all the sculpture I’ve 
got in my system, I reckon. I’m down- 
right ashamed to let them know ” 

“You needn’t be,” declared Miss Jinny 
vigorously. “You never pretended you 
were in it for anything but sport, did you? 
Bruce knows you’re about through with it; 
I heard him say so to Elinor yesterday.” 

“Oh, did he though?” cried Patricia, 
kindling. “How clever of him to see. I 
thought no one dreamed! 


268 


Miss Pat at School 


Miss Jinny chuckled. “We knew you 
were only marking time till you stepped off 
into your music/' she said encouragingly. 
“It was nice, of course, that you got along 
so well, but no one expected you to take to it 
for good and all." 

Patricia sighed contentedly. “How nice 
you aU are!" she said appreciatively. “I 
thought you'd all be disgusted with me if 
I quit. After Mr. Grantly said that study 
of Ju showed promise, I nearly wore myself 
to a bone ti^dng to make good. I've been 
scared stiff about it." 

“Don't you worry. Miss Pat. You'U 
find your own work all in good time. It 
mayn't be what you'd like it to, but it'U 
be something that you can do better than 
any one else," said Miss Jinny with kind 
wisdom. “Look at me. I'm sure that 
books and catalogues is my forte, but the 
Lord knows better. He's given me the 
sense to see it, too, and so mama is 
comfortable and happy and someone 
else v/ho hasn't a dear mother depend- 
ing on her does the library work in my 
place." 


Afternoon Tea 


209 


^^You’re a darling/’ said Patricia, ' and 
the Lord must be terribly fond of you.” 

"Patricia Louise Kendall! That’s sac- 
rilege!” gasped the scandalized Miss Jinny. 

"Is it?” exclaimed Patricia, equally 
startled. "I didn’t know it was. Mr. 
Spicer said it himself yesterday when he 
was talking to me in the print room, and I 
was teUing him about your poor basket and 
saving bank, and aU that. I’m awfully 
sorry. Miss Jinny.” 

Miss Jinny had a queer look, Patricia 
thought, as she turned hurriedly away with 
a murmured excuse about the tea table. 

"Why, it’s aU ready,” cried Patricia 
wondering at her changed manner. "We 
put the sliced lemon on the very last thing.” 

But Miss Jinny was not to be diverted 
into talk again, and as she started out of the 
studio the bell came to her aid, buzzing 
shrilly an insistent summons to the door. 

"That’s Griffin; I know her ring!” cried 
Patricia jumping up. "I’ll go.” 

Griffin it was, in the highest good humor 
and bursting with news. She did not wait 
to get out of her coat before she began to 


270 


Miss Pat at School 


unb;>som herself to them both, alternately 
addressing each in turn. 

Kendall Major^s missed it, I tell you, 
going off to that poky architectural show,'^ 
she declared to Miss Jinny. “We had the 
time of our lives today in life class. Ben- 
ton^s up in the air because Howes showed 
him that Ascension study she did over 
here — you know he never could bear Hay- 
don or his work — and he was as mad as hops 
that he should be butting in with any of 
his own special pets like Howes.^^ 

“How mean!^’ cried Patricia spiritedly. 
“Bruce hasn^t even seen that study. What 
did he say about it?’^ 

“Oh, he couldn^t say anything right out,^’ 
replied Griffin knowingly, “but he made it 
hot for us, I tell you. Poor old Bottle 
Green caught it first, for painting before he^d 
given her permission, and then he jumped 
on me for not painting. Radford caught it 
and then he lit on Slovinski for using the 
Whistler palette, and she just blew up! 
These Poles arenT like us tame tabbies, you 
know, and she^s full of ginger, for all her 
sleepy ways. She^s terribly high-born. 


Afternoon Tea 


271 


you know, and can^t bear anyone to look 
cross-eyed at her/’ 

^^What did she do?” asked Patricia 
eagerly. 

Slammed him good and hard,” returned 
Griffin succinctly. ^'Told him he was 
fifteen different sorts of a lobster.” 

^^Oh, do talk English, Griffie dear,” 
begged Patricia, laughing. ^^Miss Jinny 
doesn’t understand your Choctaw speech.” 

^^Well then, she rebuked him thoroughly 
for his variable though severe criticisms, 
and stated, with some emotion, that the 
Board should be enlightened as to his 
unfitness, through his captious temper, for 
the delicate task of nourishing the tender 
sensibilities of the budding artist.” 

^^My word, she wasn’t shy, was she?” 
interpolated Patricia, much diverted. 

^^Not she,” declared Griffin. ^^We were 
all in a blue fit. Not that we old stagers 
are sorry for the man, but it shocked our 
sense of what’s due him as a teacher. I was 
fearfully ashamed of Slovinski, but it was 
fun to see how astounded he looked. He 
just stood looking at her more quietly than 


272 


Miss Pat at School 


I^d ever seen him look at any one, and then 
he bcT-'^ed and asked her if she’d quite 
finished. Jinainy, but he was pohte! We 
all got a chill. Slovinski sat down, and we 
took to work again. Benton went on 
criticizing as if nothing had happened, but 
we felt mighty queer. Then Bottle Green 
stooped over to get her paint-box, and up 
she starts, most tragic-like, with her hand 
on her shoulder, and she solemnly announces 
she’s broken her arm.” 

“Poor thing, she’s done it at last!” cried 
Patricia compassionately. “Then what 
happened?” 

“She got safely off, and then the model 
began to look queer, and in a minute she’d 
fainted. Howes brought her to with a 
glass of mineral water, and the class broke 
up. But the model didn’t go. After 
Benton had made a small spicy speech of 
farewell — ^he’s leaving, can’t stand being 
sassed — ^she got up on the stand and gave 
us a bunch of monologues that were out 
of sight. She used to be on the variety 
stage until she lost her voice. I tell you, 
Kendall missed it.” 


Afternoon Tea 


273 


^^What did I miss?’’ called Elinor’s 
voice from the other room, where she had 
come in unnoticed. 

She came to the doorway with her hat 
and furs still on and repeated the ques- 
tion. Griffin gave her a synopsis of the 
row and the casualties following, which 
she received with a little protesting laugh. 

can’t say it sounds better than the 
architectural show,” she said, pulling out 
her hat-pins. 

^^That part wasn’t,” agreed Grifiin, 
“though a bit more sporting perhaps. 
But what came after was. Mary Miller, 
the model, told us the most wonderful 
story— her own life, first in the bush in 
Australia and then here in New York 
and Chicago; and who do you think she 
is?” 

“Melba in disguise?” mocked Elinor 
gayly. 

“Stuff!” snorted Griffin, impatiently. 
“Her family comes from Rockham, and 
her grandmother used to live at Greycroft. 
She’s going out to see xhe place when it 
gets warmer. I didn’t tell her you lived 


18 


274 


Miss Pat at School 


there now, for I didn^t know whether 
you’d want ” 

Lands to goodness, I believe I’ve seen 
her!” exclaimed Miss Jinny. There was 
a Mary Miller, a little thing about five, 
used to play about the place when old Miss 
Spence lived there. Her mother married 
again and went to Australia. Must be 
the same one.” 

^^Come over to the shop tomorrow and 
see if it isn’t — ” GrifiSn began, when there 
was a sound of laughter and talking in the 
outer hall and the door opened to admit 
Bruce, Margaret Howes, the two Halden 
girls and Judith. 

Mr. Spicer and Mrs. Shelly came in 
almost at the same time, and Miss Jinny’s 
delicious tea and nut-cakes were served 
with great gayety and lively chatter. The 
Haldens, having come from a two-days 
vacation at Rockham, were full of neigh- 
borhood gossip and gave very circumscan- 
tial accounts of Greycroft, Hannah Ann 
and Henry. 

^^We saw Hannah Ann and Henry on 
Saturday and got all the news about the 


Afternoon Tea 


275 


place from them. Major had the colic one 
night, but Hannah Ann saved him with 
a quart of homeopathic pills/ ^ laughed 
Miriam. Everything looked just as nat- 
ural as life when we drove by this morn- 
ing. They^U be mighty glad to see you 
all when you go back.’’ 

‘^What are you putting up in the garden, 
Elinor?” asked Madalon, stirring her tea. 
^‘1 noticed that Henry had a lot of poles 
planted along the south shrubbery ” 

Judith’s dismayed exclamation cut short 
her account of the activities at Greycroft. 

^^Now you’ve done it!” cried Judith in 
distress. “She knows all about it, and I 
meant it for a surprise! Oh dear!” 

“I’m awfully sorry — ” began Madalon, 
contritely, but Judith was too deeply 
disappointed to be very polite. 

“Hannah Ann and I have been writing 
about it for ever so long,” she lamented, 
“and we were having it put just where 
you wanted it, Ehnor, and Henry got the 
trees from the wood lot, and we were 
going to have it for a surprise — ” She 
broke off, choking. 


276 


Miss Pat at School 


Elinor sl’pped an arm about her. ^^But 
what is it, Ju dear?” 

pup-pup-pergola,” spluttered Judith, 
recovering a bit. ^'Just the sort you 
wanted. And we planned for Miss Pat to 
make one of those lovely stone seats out 
of concrete. But it isn’t any use, now,” 
she ended forlornly. 

Don’t be a muff,” said Patricia briskly. 
^^It’s twice as good, don’t you see, coming 
out this way? Here are eight people sur- 
prised all in a bunch, instead of merely 
Elinor and poor me. You’ve sprung it in 
the very nick of time. Infant.” 

^^Sure thing,” supplemented Griffin geni- 
ally. ^H’m in it now, and if you’d put 
it off, I’d been in Kalamazoo or Mada- 
gascar, and missed it all.” 

Judith with this encouragement began 
to take heart, and by the time Mr. Spicer 
and Margaret Howes had joined their 
congratulations to the others, she was fuUy 
recovered and enjoying herself immensely, 
arguing with Margaret Howes and Bruce 
as to the shape of the projected seat with 
a freedom that was usually denied her. 


Afternoon Tea 


277 


The subject of Mary Miller was brought 
up and discussed with great interest. 
Everyone advocated Miss Jinny^s visit to 
the Academy, and Judith added the hope 
that the descendant of the old house- 
keeper at Greycroft might be able to throw 
some light on the disappearance of the old 
miser’s silver and bank books, a remark 
that caused some consternation among the 
elder members of the party. 

Don’t you go making suggestions of 
that sort,” warned Bruce, with impressive 
authority. ^^The girl will feel as though 
her great-grandmother were a thief.” 

^^Oh, I wouldn’t put it that way^” cried 
Judith, scandalized. ^^I’d just sort of 
hint around gently. Maybe they dug it 
up long ago.” 

^^Ju’s got the idea from her last thriller 
that the Dutchman who used to live at 
Greycroft buried his treasure somewhere 
about the place,” explained Patricia to 
Griffin. suppose she’ll spend her time 
grubbing this summer.” 

Griffin pushed up her blouse sleeve, 
showing a remarkably thin arm. ^T’m 


278 


Miss Pat at Srhool 


your man, if you ever want a pal,^’ she 
said to Judith. trained down to the 

right weight now and ready for business. 

Judith did not know whether she was 
being chaffed or not, so she dexterously 
changed the subject. 

Doris Leighton’s sister has the scarlet 
fever,” she announced, enjoying the stir 
that the name caused, “and Doris is nurs- 
ing her. She takes turns with the nurse, 
and Geraldine cries when she goes out of 
the room.” 

“Phew, that doesn’t sound like our fine 
lady of the stony heart!” exclaimed Griffin. 
“Are you sure, kidlet?” 

Judith nodded emphatically. “Mrs. 
Leighton told Miss Hillis over the phone, 
and she told the class, as ^an example of 
sisterly devotion,’ she called it. I felt 
like telling her what I knew” 

“Judith Kendall, you’re a little monster!” 
cried Patricia, indignantly. “Even if Doris 
did cheat, she’s doing a noble thing now, and 
we ought to be the last to blab, since Elinor 
got the prize. Doris had to pay for her 
sins and she has human feelings, too.” 


Afternoon Tea 


279 


^^Pooh, she didn’t have to pay much/’ 
said Judith with the callousness of child- 
hood. “She only gave back the prize and 
left the Academy.” 

“I’m glad to hear that she is making good 
now,” said Margaret Howes gravely. “I 
always felt there was a lot of good in 
Leighton under her fluff.” 

“Perhaps it took hard rubs to bring it 
out,” said Miss Jinny, pouring another cup 
for Mr. Spicer. “We poor human critters 
are like that sometimes. Good times spoil 
us. Maybe she’s had it too easy, poor 
girl.” 

“Souls have muscles, the same as bodies 
do, and they need exercise,” agreed Bruce 
thoughtfully. “I know lots of fellows who 
are failures through having too much money. 
It’s a dangerous thing to let your soul get 
seedy.” 

“Golly, that pretty nearly hits us all, 
doesn’t it?” said Griffin apprehensively. 
“I’m not so sure about myself, now you 
mention it. Doris Leighton may be one 
ahead of me in this business. Fatty de- 
generation of the soul is a new one to me.” 


280 


Miss Pat at School 


They were all rather serious for a silent 
moment, and then Patricia spoke. Her 
clear voice was rather low and timid, but 
her eyes were shining. 

Let’s phone to her and tell her that we 
all hope Geraldine will soon be well,” she 
said, looking at Elinor with loving confi- 
dence. 

There was a murmur of assent and Elinor 
rose quickly. 

'^The very thing. Miss Pat,” she agreed 
radiantly. ^H’ll look up the number for 
you.” 

But Patricia shrank from appearing too 
magnanimous. 

^Ht’s your affair, Norn,” she demurred. 
^^You ought to do the talking.” 

So Elinor went into the sitting-room where 
the telephone was, and in the intervals 
of their rather forced conversation, they 
could hear scraps of her kind questions 
and gentle answers. When .she returned 
to the studio, her face was glowing. 

^H’m so glad you thought of phoning. 
Miss Pat,” she said, taking her plate and 
cup from Bruce and seating herself by Miss 


Afternoon Tea 


281 


Jinny. Doris was — ^well, I can’t tell 
you what she said, but she certainly isn’t 
as bad as we thought her. She’s just 
wrapped up in Geraldine and she seems to 
think that this illness is a judgment on her 
for the prize study.” 

^^Poor thing,” exclaimed Griffin. ^^Did 
you tell her we all asked for her?” 

Elinor nodded. ^^She said I might as 
well tell you all, for it would be in the 
papers tomorrow. Her father has failed, 
and they’re dreadfully poor. It’s been 
coming on for a long while, and that was 
why she wanted the prize so much — not 
that she excused herself for it, she only said 
I could see how she came to stoop so low. 
She was frantic for the money and was so 
worried that she couldn’t think of any 
subject for herself. She thought I was rich 
and happy and wouldn’t care. She even 
thought I might not turn in my study at 
all, when I got sick that night. She’s had 
a terrible time about it, but she was so 
glad to have the chance to explain.” 

^^Why in the world didn’t she say so 
before?” cried Griffin indignantly. '^She 


282 


Miss Pat at School 


had a chance to defend herself. We^re not 
absolutely inhuman.’’ 

^^She couldn’t, don’t you see, without 
telling her father’s private affairs?” said 
Elinor gently. “She didn’t feel that it was 
any excuse for her conduct, anyway.” 

Patricia heaved a deep sigh. “Well, 
I must say,” she said with a triumphant 
look at Miss Jinny, “I do believe in first 
impressions and I’m glad I always liked 
Doris Leighton.” 

Miriam Halden rose regretfully. “Sorry 
to break up the festivities. Miss Jinny,” 
she said, shaking hands, “but our train 
leaves in just ten minutes, and Madalon has 
on bran-new pumps with heels that cut her 
down to a mile an hour. We’ll see you all 
again next week at the house-breaking, as 
Judith calls it.” 

“We’ll be here,” promised Madalon, 
following her sister’s example. “We’ll 
have to miss lunch and the Senior dance, 
but what’s a mere dance compared to help- 
ing a neighbor say farewell to their happy 
little home. Look for us at twelve-thirty 
sharp and prepare an extra mess of pottage, 


Afternoon Tea 


283 


for we^U both be fearfully hungry. Tell 
David and Tom Hughes we’ll come in on the 
same train they do. Good-bye, be good 
till Saturday and then we’ll all be happy.” 


CHAPTER XVI 


APRIL SHOWERS 

Miller girl needs a good 
I rest/’ said Miss Jinny emphat- 
ically. 

She had come in from her visit to the 
Academy, where she had interviewed the 
model with a thoroughness that left little 
of her past unexplored, and her face was sad 
and thoughtful as she stood pulling off her 
gloves, finger by finger, by the big side win- 
dow in the studio. 

Mrs. Shelly went on with her knitting, but 
Patricia, who was mending a long rent in her 
best blouse, looked up with eager interest. 

^'Did you have a chance to talk to her 
much?” she asked, snapping oS her thread 
in her absorption. ^^What is she really 
like? Does she remember Rockham? And 
does she know we have the old place?” 

Miss Jinny chuckled and then grew grave 
and thoughtful. 


( 284 ) 


April Showers 


285 


guess she wouldn’t last much longer 
at this business,” she said, smoothing the 
creases out of the glove fingers. “She’s 
got a pinched look and her cheeks are mighty 
pink. No, it ain’t paint; I asked right out, 
and she answered just as nice as could be. 
She seems tired, poor girl, and mortally 
glad to have some one take an interest. 
She says the class rooms are so hot, and the 
change from living in eighty degrees to 
sixty-five, like it is in her room, has made 
her downright sick part of the time.” 

“It must be hard on her,” acquiesced 
Patricia. “Why didn’t she get something 
else to do?” 

“Couldn’t,” said Miss Jinny, briefly. 
“A girl without friends or money hasn’t 
much show in a big town. I’m going to 
take charge of that girl, Patricia.” 

Patricia felt a thrill of alarm. 

“You aren’t going to bring her here?” 
she queried, a faint flush of shame at the 
selfishness of her speech creeping into her 
cheeks. 

“Certainly notj” said Miss Jinny crisply. 
“I’m merely a guest here. I’m going to do 


286 


Miss Pat at School 


something more practical, and I want 
you to help me, if you can stop being jealous 

of the poor girl, for ” 

Patricia flung the sewing aside and threw 
her arms about her friend in a tempest of 
contrition. didn^t mean to be horrid,’^ 
she cried. ^^You know I wouldn^t really 
be so selflsh — if I thought you wanted it. 
But we have been so happy toge^ner here, 
and I wanted it to go onto the end, just 
like a beautiful story that ends happily. 
I’m sorry I seemed mean.” 

Miss Jinny gave her a pat and a kiss, 
guess I feel quite as much that way as 
you do. Miss Pat,” she said with unusual 
softness. hadn’t the wildest notion of 
bringing Mary Miller here. I’m going to 
take her to Rockham with me.” 

Patricia’s heart sank, but she concealed 
her feehngs sufficiently to reassure Miss 
Jinny, who went on briskly: 

^'I’m going to take her out with us day 
after tomorrow — she’s not going back to 
the Academy — and I’m going to get work 
for her. There’s where you can help. 
She’s a good sewer, she says, though she’d 


April Showers 


287 


rather live with someone and do house- 
work/’ 

Shouldn’t think she’d be strong enough 
for housework,” said Patricia, puckering 
her brow. ^^Mrs. Hand wants a 4ady 
housew'orker,’ but I don’t believe she’d 
have an ex-model. She’s so awfully par- 
ticular, you know.” 

Miss Jinny nodded. She’d work her 
to death, anyway,” she agreed. She’s 
mighty inhuman under her soft outside. Her 
help don’t hear much of her purry ways, I 
can tell you. That’s why they’re always 
leaving. No, Mrs. Hand won’t do.” She 
sighed in perplexity. “I wish we were well 
enough off to keep her ourselves. I’ve 
taken a liking to her quiet ways, and I’d 
enjoy having her about, I’m sure. Most 
country girls are so loud and clumping that 
I’ve never wanted help before, but she’s 
mighty different.” 

Patricia rubbed the end of her nose with 
the scissors. There are the Haldens and 
the Berkleys and Tattans,” she mused. 

They’re all supplied. Perhaps someone 
will leave and then she can get their place. 


/ 


288 


Miss Pat at School 


Maybe Hannah Ann will have her help 
sometimes, — ^we can^t afford to have anyone 
regularly, you know.’’ 

Miss Jinny rose abruptly, and putting 
away her things, began preparations for 
tea. 

^^Well, it’s settled that she’s going with 
us,” she said comfortably. “I guess the 
future will take care of itself. If we do the 
best we can and leave the rest to the Lord, 
we can’t go far astray. I feel that Mary 
Miller is going to be taken care of some 
way.” 

It had been raining all the afternoon, a 
gentle persistent rain that gave no sign of 
clearing, and they decided, after a cozy 
dinner at home, that their projected trip 
to Rockham the next day would have to 
be given up; but when Bruce pulled aside 
the curtain from the studio window to com- 
pare his watch with the illuminated disc of 
the St. Francis clock tower, he gave an 
exclamation of satisfaction. 

It’s cleared off, after all,” he said. It’s 
going to be a ripping fine day tomorrow.” 

They crowded to the big window, and 


April Showers 


289 


saw, through the wet flicker of tiny sprout- 
ing leaves, a wind-swept sky with racing 
clouds and brilliant stars blazing in the dark, 
serene spaces between the hurrying masses 
of billowy vapor. 

Judith clapped her hands. “We^ll go, 
won’t we, Bruce, and Elinor, and Miss 
Jinny? ” she asked, whirling to each author- 
ity in turn. We’ll see dear, delectable 
Greycroft and have our picnic in the barn?” 

^^And the pup-pup-pergola, too,” added 
Patricia mischievously. 

Miss Jinny meditated for a moment, 
don’t believe I’ll go,” she said. ^^I’m 
going back in another day or so, and mama 
and I will have enough of Rockham anyway. 
I’U stay with her and finish that library 
book that Mr. Spicer lent me. It’s overdue 
now, anyway.” 

So it was arranged that the four of them, 
Elinor, Patricia, Judith, and Bruce, should 
take the early train to Rockham and spend 
the day in adjusting matters at Greycroft 
for their return the following Saturday, 
coming back to town in the late afternoon 
or early evening. 


19 


290 


Miss Pat at School 


Just as they had finished, to their great 
satisfaction the studio knocker sounded the 
quick double knock that always heralded 
Griffin, and Judith flew to welcome her. 

didn’t ring,” she explained, standing 
on the little blue rug by the umbrella 
stand, and jabbing her dripping umbrella 
into the stand. ^^The hall door was open 
and I came right in.” She hesitated, and 
then rushed on, directing most of her 
speech to Elinor. ^'Geraldine Leighton 
is dying, they say, and I thought we might 
each send a little note to Doris — she’s 
awfully alone, now that Mrs. Leighton is 
ill, you know. It mightn’t help her much, 
but it would show her that we ” 

^^Dying!” cried Patricia, aghast. ^^Why 
they said she was better this morning.” 

Judith crept near to Mrs. Shelly and 
caught her hand close in both of hers. The 
others put eager questions. GriSin, who 
was deeply stirred, answered breathlessly. 
Suddenly, in the midst of the quiet, home- 
like, cozy evening, had come tragedy and the 
shadow of death. 

Patricia had known Geraldine Leighton 


April Showers 


291 


in a very slight and casual way, but with the 
word dying,’’ she became the heroic center 
of her hurrying thoughts. She saw her in 
the dim room with Doris and the nurse and 
doctor, each agonizingly intent on the slow, 
faltering heart-beats and the fitful, irregular 
breathing. As her swift mind galloped on 
to the end, and the subdued sounds of grief 
caught her inner ear, another face began to 
print itself rapidly on that quick-moving 
scene — Doris, white and haggard, looked 
into her eyes, and she felt her whole heart go 
out to her. 

Griffin was just ending the sentence that 
had hurried the fleeting pictures through 
her mind when Patricia slipped away un- 
noticed into the hall, where she flung on a 
cape and soft hat of Judith’s and softly let 
herself out.. 

The Leighton house was a big dark pile 
at the end of the street and the only light 
visible was in the back room where Patricia 
knew the struggle against death and disease 
was being fought out. She paused for a 
long look and then she ran lightly up the 
steps and put a shrinking finger on the bell* 


292 


Miss Pat at School 


It seemed an eternity till the door was 
grudgingly opened and a white-faced, gruff 
boy asked unrecognizingly what she wanted. 

Patricia put her questions tremblingly, 
for she feared the stern, strange face of 
the boy in knickerbockers. She had seen 
him playing and shouting in the square 
on other days, and the change was so 
great that she felt death alone could have 
wrought it. But he answered evenly that 
^Geraldine was just the same,^ and was 
closing the door when Patricia stopped 
him. After a hasty parley, on his part, 
at first stubborn and then yielding, the 
door closed and Patricia, with beating 
heart, ran down the steps and hurried 
to the side of the house where the long 
windows of the drawing room protruded 
their iron balconies over the sidewalk. 

Here she waited in the shadow of the 
fluttering violet arc light, with her eyes 
fastened to the silent, insensible windows. 
Ten minutes that seemed ten eternities 
went lagging by. Tears of disappointment 
rose to Patricia’s eyes and she shivered 
as the gusts of west wind flung the drops 


April Showers 


293 


from the saturated trees in a silver shower 
across the darkened panes. 

count ten, and then I^U go,’’ she 
said to herself. 

The windows remained dark, and the 
only sounds on the quiet side street were 
the wind in the wet trees and the sizzle 
of the arc light above her head. 

^^Five, six, sev ” 

She sprang forward as the second win- 
dow slowly moved and a mufHed figure 
stood on the balcony. 

^^Oh, Doris!” was all she found to say, 
as she stretched eager hands toward her. 

Doris shrank back with a low, horrified 
cry. 

Don’t come near me!” she warned in 
a stifled voice. '^Go back as far as the 
tree. Don’t you know it’s scarlet fever? 
I’ll go in at once if you come nearer.” 

Patricia retreated to the tree, and Doris 
stood with one hand clutching the cloak 
and the light strong on her face. She 
looked more beautiful than ever to 
Patricia’s friendly eyes, and there was a 
calm strength in her manner that awed 


294 


Miss Pat at School 


while it comforted her. All conscious- 
ness of herself was gone, and, Patricia 
felt, gone forever, and in its place a quiet 
courage that spoke of conquered pride and 
vanity and selfishness. Doris Leighton 
had found herself. 

In the hurried words that they exchanged 
there was a more solid welding of their 
renewed friendship than the telephone could 
have accomphshed for them in many inter- 
views, and they parted at the end of the 
allotted five minutes, each with a growing 
faith in the mercies of that Providence which 
had led them to a nobler comradeship. 

Patricia, promising to give Doris’ mes- 
sages to Elinor and the rest, hurried off, 
leaving the drawing-room windows once 
more blank and impassive. She ran into 
the studio as Griffin was rising to go, 
with her umbrella, reclaimed from the 
stand, still dripping slow occasional drops 
unheeded on the polished floor. 

They had not missed her, much to her 
surprise. She felt she had undergone so 
much, and they were still in the very state 
she had left them. She blurted out her 


April Showers 


295 


triumphant account of the new Doris, almost 
forgetting Geraldine, and to their excited 
questionings and comments she flashed 
illuminating replies, making them see the 
very figure in the muffled cloak with 
the courageous expression on its lovely 
face. 

There was generous and general rejoicing 
at her account of the brief interview, and 
a strong feeling that under this happier 
augury Geraldine must recover. Patricia 
went to bed feeling that the storm of the 
afternoon had been a type of her own day, 
and that for her the stars were serenely 
shining after the tempest of doubt and 
estrangement. 

Geraldine won^t die,” she said fervently 
to Elinor as she put out the light. 
kumv she won^t die.” 

And the morning proved her prophecy, for 
at the first inquiry came the joyful news that 
the crisis was past and Geraldine already 
improving. 

^^Now we can go on our spree with clear 
minds,” said Judith, as they sat down to 
breakfast in the sunny sitting-room. ^^It^s 


296 


Miss Pat at School 


a perfect day and Rockham will look too 
sweet for anything/^ 

“What a beautiful description of a spring 
day in the country by a budding literary 
light/^ commented Patricia merrily. “I^m 
afraid your style is rather going off, Ju! 
You haven^t been consulting that dictionary 
of yours recently.’’ 

Judith merely shrugged and went on with 
her breakfast, while Bruce and Elinor, who 
had been up unusually early and were 
already equipped, discussed Elinor’s fin- 
ished wall-decoration which stood at the 
far end of the studio, just visible from the 
breakfast table. Bruce was much elated 
over the progress of his pupil, and prophe- 
sied great things for Elinor in time. He even 
went so far as to promise that the stained 
glass window for which she had made a 
cartoon should be executed and put in the 
little Rockham church. 

Altogether they were in a happy frame of 
mind and life seemed very satisfactory to 
them. As they left the town behind and 
the dimpling, downy, spring-time country 
rolled out beyond their flying windows, they 


April Showers 


297 


became positively hilarious, intoxicated by 
sunshine and spring. They found Grey- 
croft, Hannah Ann and Henry all equally 
admirable. The pergola was inspected and 
found well-composed and attractive, and 
the site for Patricia’s concrete seat was 
decided on hopefully. The picnic luncheon 
in the big bam, which Hannah Ann served 
with great dehght while Henry hurried back 
and forth to the house with warm dishes and 
reinforcements of delicious food, was a 
glorious frolic, and even the big black clouds 
that swept suddenly over the luminous sky 
did not distress them. 

Let’s stay here for a minute or two, and 
then run up to the house before it comes,” 
suggested Patricia, with her chin on the 
half door of the barn, looking out over the 
tender landscape and down at the flowers 
in the unused barnyard far below. 

Hannah Ann and Henry had disappeared 
with the remains of the feast and the four 
were alone in the big solid stmcture, with 
hay mows on either side of their banqueting 
floor and a smell of dry, sweet herbage in 
the air. 


298 


Miss Pat at School 


Bruce scanned the rushing yellow clouds. 

Better shut the windows there, Miss 
Pat,” he said. close the doors and 

then we^U hustle. It's going to be a stun- 
ner when it comes.” 

Patricia had barely chcked the bolts in 
the glass upper doors and heard the heavy 
clash of the wooden contact as Bruce slid 
the great leaves of the big door into place, 
when with a swish and sweep the storm 
broke. 

^^We can't go now,” cried Patricia, 
throwing her voice above the sound of the 
wind, but Bruce and Elinor at the other 
end of the barn were apparently absorbed 
in the spectacle, and did not hear her. 
Judith cuddled close and Patricia felt her 
hands go cold, but she could only clasp 
them harder to reassure her — ^no words 
could reach her ear. 

The wind, driving furiously from the 
west, flung the clouds before it — great sullen 
masses of flying gray vapor that now 
broke into drenching torrents, shaking the 
barn and tearing at the casements. In a 
moment the place was dark with its roar 


April Showers 


299 


and the rumble of coming fury undertoned 
the shrill screams of the greedy tempest 
wind. 

Patricia held Judith close, with her own 
heart beating tumultuously to the rhythm 
of the storm. Hard rattling drops casti- 
netted at the glass, beating an accom- 
paniment to the roar of the racing clouds. 
For a moment all was black, then, as the 
whirling cloud masses swept apart, the 
pelting drops lulled and a gray twilight 
full of ominous murmurs filled the place. 
Before Patricia could frame the swift 
thought that the storm was passing, dark- 
ness swept over them again, and the 
fierce scream of the relentless wind tore 
at the corners of the barn. The rain beat, 
deluged, enguKed the out-of-doors; it 
drummed gayly with diminishing ferocity; 
then it roared sullenly, flooding the rain 
spouts to bursting; it raged again, with 
the scream of the wind growing higher, 
and snapping branches flung themselves 
past the gray squares of the windows, fly- 
ing leaves pasted wet green blurs on the 
streaming glass. Judith shuddered. 


300 


Miss Pat at School 


“Oh, Patricia!” she cried in Patricia’s 
ear, but the words died into the tempest. 

The sound of running water outside their 
shelter gradually forced its way into the 
tumult. The road was a yellow water- 
way; the brook tore above the limit of its 
deep banks into a widening saffron river 
among the green meadows, which showed 
in the ghastly light in crude and ugly 
colors. 

Then, suddenly as it had come, the 
storm passed, trailing dark, yellow-gray, 
ragged clouds in its wake. The light came 
back and the awed girls at the little win- 
dow saw below them in the emerald 
meadows, wide ugly yellow splotches that 
grew as they looked, meeting other grow- 
ing patches of swirling yellow water from 
the lanes and roads. Trees showed fresh 
wounds and masses of broken branches 
clotted the discolored waters of the brook. 
Birds called excitedly and flew exultantly 
about in the limpid air. The sun flung gay 
greens and golds. The storm was past. 

Patricia drew a deep breath. 

“Look, look!” cried Judith, her eyes 


April Showers 


301 


alight and her whole slender little figure 
relaxed. ^^Two trees are down!^^ 

Across the road a huge sycamore blocked 
the way and on the pike a giant willow 
had crashed down. 

“Oh, Bruce, the sycamore you painted 
is gone!^^ called Patricia, not turning. 
“Come and see!’’ 

Elinor came, with the painter following, 
and as soon as they saw the work of the 
storm, Bruce awoke to immediate action. 

“You girls tell Henry to come down with 
the axe and grubbing-hoe,” he commanded 
briskly. “I’m off.” And flinging his 
coat to Elinor, he seized a hatchet that 
was lying in the stairway and started for 
the wreckage, while Patricia and Judith 
flew to fulfill his orders. 

The sun shone and the birds sang while 
the work went on, and far down the pike 
they could see other prone trees with busy 
choppers clearing limbs and entangling 
foliage from the highway. A band of men 
begirt with axes, cords and other imple- 
ments passed on their way to the school 
house where a big maple blocked the pike. 


302 


Miss Pat at School 


Patricia was tremendously interested and 
it was with the greatest regret that she 
^ heard the whistle of the up-train, while 
the tangle of the sycamore was still undis- 
turbed in the roadway. 

^^Oh, do let^s stay till it^s all done,” she 
urged, but Bruce and Elinor were adamant. 

'^What does it matter if we do miss the 
train?” she insisted. “We can take the 
early one in the morning. We^U be home 
almost as soon.” 

“IVe got to pack tonight, young lady,” 
Bruce reminded her. “I^m not so for- 
tunate as to be coming to Greycroft, you’ll 
remember. It takes longer to get to 
Chicago than to Rockham.” 

“Oh, that’s so,” acquiesced Patricia. 
“I suppose you do have to be there for 
that private view of the panels.” 

“And a fresh suit is advisable, too,” 
added Bruce. “I don’t want my duds to 
come a week later, as they did in Mil- 
waukee. I’ll make sure this time.” 

“All right,” said Patricia, amiably. 
“We’ve had a glorious day anyway, and 
we’U soon be back here for keeps. I 


April Showers 


303 


guess I^m not pig enough to grumble. 
Come on, Judy, weVe got to go see Han- 
nah Ann’s new hat before we go. I wish 
she’d left us get it for her. I’m sure it’s 
a fright.” 

Judith followed sedately with her head 
in the air. 

I’m going to ask Elinor if Hannah Ann 
and Henry can’t come in town Saturday 
for the ^housebreaking,’ ” she said to Pa- 
tricia as they climbed the stairs. “I 
think it would be very nice for them to 
see all our friends. They’re such urbane 
dependents ” 


CHAPTER XVII 


FAREWELL TO THE STUDIO 

a T"^ID you see the Haldens on the 
I 1 train, Frad?^^ asked Patricia as 
she and David were talking aside 
by the studio window while Elinor was 
welcoming Tom Hughes and Griffin, Mar- 
garet Howes and Mr. Spicer, who had all 
arrived in a bunch, Tom having lagged 
behind to get a big sheaf of roses for 
Elinor, whom he admired immensely. 

“No, we looked for them high and low, 
but didnT see hide nor hair of them,^^ he 
answered, ruffing his hair in a way that 
distressed Patricia, who was very proud of 
his straight, shining locks. 

“I wonder what keeps them?^^ she said 
anxiously. “They’d surely phone if they 
were detained or weren’t coming. All of 
Bruce’s friends are here, and Hannah Ann 
is on pins and needles for fear we’ll be 
delayed and not get through in time for 

( 304 ) 


Farewell to the Studio 


305 


the four-forty. She was awfully glad to 
see you, wasn’t she?” 

“Yep,” replied David, grinning. “I 
was afraid she’d regard me as an interloper 
in the family abode, but she gave me the 
glad hand in great shape. I didn’t think 
it was in her to be so hearty. She’s taken 
me in, all right.” 

“She had your room all fixed with the 
best covers, but Elinor persuaded her to 
reconsider it,” smiled Patricia. “You’re 
going to be as much at home as any of us, 
Frad dear, and I’m glad the time will soon 
be here for your school to shut up and let 
you come h-o-m-e, ftome.” 

The clock on St. Francis’ tower boomed 
the hour. 

“I think we’ll have to begin with the 
feeding,” said Bruce, as Miss Jinny and 
Mrs. Shelly, gorgeous in their very best 
raiment, entered from their bedroom. 
“Madam, may I have the privilege of 
escorting you to the head of the table?” 

Mrs. Shelly made him a pretty little 
bow. 

“I shall be delighted, Mr. Haydon,” 


20 


306 


Miss Pat at School 


she said primly, to the great gratification 
of Judith, who had previously arranged 
this incident. 

Elinor followed with Mr. Grantly, and 
Miss Jinny came next with Mr. Spicer, 
who was very ceremonial and splendid in 
new clothes of the latest pattern. Patricia 
thought he looked particularly radiant, and 
wondered how he could be so glad to say 
good-bye. She was about to whisper to 
Tom Hughes, who was next in the merry 
jumble that followed the first three precise 
couples, when there was a tremendous 
rapping at the studio door, and Hannah 
Ann in her treasured new hat rushed from 
Miss Jinny’s room, where she had been in 
ambush, to the besieged portal. 

Patricia, Hannah Ann, and the Haldens 
met on the blue rug, and Patricia was the 
first to find her voice. 

^^Well, of all people in the world!” she 
cried delightedly to the new-comers. 

Where did you come from? WTiy aren’t 
you in Paris? And where’s Mr. Bingham?” 

A tall, good-looking man in tweeds was 
shaking hands heartily with Hannah Ann, 


Farewell to the Studio 


307 


while an esthetically dressed, rather languid 
young lady in pastel green was trying to 
introduce a pretty, smiling blond girl in 
black furs whom Patricia easily recognized 
as the original of the photograph that had 
stood on Mr. Lindley’s desk at Greycroft, 
and the Haldens were explaining how they 
heard that the Lindleys were in town and 
so had come in on an earlier train specially 
to capture them for the house-breaking. 

Patricia bubbled with enjo3mient of the 
surprise. She kissed Mrs. Bingham and 
Mrs. Bindley, too, though she had never 
laid eyes on her before, and she came near 
kissing the tall Mr. Bindley, much to the 
edification of the others who had rushed from 
the sitting-room at the sound of the outcry. 

Griffin and other intimates were intro- 
duced to the late Miss Auborn and the 
professor, both of whom had starred as 
boarders in the past summer at Greycroft 
when, at Judith’s suggestion, the three 
girls had tried to retrieve their broken 
fortunes by means of ^'paying guests.” 

''Mr. Bingham will be along presently,” 
said the late Miss Auborn with great com- 


308 


Miss Pat at School 


posure, arranging her draperies with a care- 
ful hand. She was looking remarkably 
smart and it was evident that the amiable 
Mr. Bingham had totally eclipsed Art for 
her. ^^We only met the Lindleys by 
chance and Ferdinand had some business 
to transact that could not wait.” 

Patricia studied her with eager interest. 
The bride of half a year was still a bride 
to her, and the transformation of the limp, 
bedraggled art student into this languid, 
elegant young lady was an affair that had 
its beginnings at Greycroft, for it was 
under that hospitable roof that Mr. Bing- 
ham had first seen Miss Auborn. In the 
merry Babel of the studio party Mrs. 
Bingham held her own with a calm assur- 
ance that Miss Auborn had not possessed, 
and when Mr. Bingham, pink and smiling 
as ever and just a bit more bald, joined 
them, the air of mild authority with which 
she welcomed that gentleman impressed 
Patricia even more strongly. 

As they went back to the flower-decked 
sitting-room, Judith edged close to whisper 
in her ear. 


Farewell to the Studio 


309 


think Miss Jinny has hurt her hand, 
Miss Pat,’^ she said with exaggerated 
anxiety. ^'She^s got her handkerchief 
wrapped about it. I hope it isn^t badly 
hurt — she doesn’t look as if it were inimi- 
cal, does she?” 

Patricia made a gesture of amused im- 
patience. You monkey, you aren’t think- 
ing of Miss Jinny’s hand at aU. Where did 
you get that stuffy word?” 

^^It isn’t stuffy,” defended Judith with 
a flash. ^^It’s a nice, crackling word, and 
I got it from Arnold Bennet, if you want to 
know. He uses it all the time. And I’ve 
got another, too — ^ inept’ — and that’s what 
you are now, Patricia Kendall. I’m 
ashamed of your extreme indifference to 
the beauties of your own language.” 

Patricia halted by the chair at a side 
table where her name card lay. Her eyes 
were fastened on Judith with a peculiarly 
penetrating gaze, and her firm grasp de- 
tained the arm that would have escaped. 

^'Judith, my child, there’s something up, 
and you’d better confess at once,” she said 
gravely. ^^No one will hear you now while 


310 


Miss Pat at School 


we’re getting our places. What is it you’re 
plotting?” 

Judith wriggled from her with an expres- 
sion of injured innocence that almost satis- 
fied her. 

^'I’m not going to do anything, Miss 
Pat,” she declared with emphasis. ^^You 
can ask Bruce if I’m ^up to’ anyiihing, as 
you call it.” 

Patricia reluctantly released her and she 
slipped away to her own table with Mada- 
lon Halden, Tom Hughes, and little Jack 
Grantly, a nephew of the sculptor, who had 
been invited specially for Judith’s sake^^ 
and who was promptly set down by that’ 
discriminating young person as being much 
too young for the high post of companion 
to her. 

Miriam Halden, Mr. Hilton, Griffin, 
Margaret Howes, Herbert Lester and David 
— ofiicially known as Francis Edward, but 
particularly recognized by his twin as Frad 
— all sat at the same rose-decked table 
with Patricia, and, as Griffin put it, they 
made the other tables look ‘Tike thirty 
cents in pennies.” The candle light 


Farewell to the Studio 


311 


sparkled on laughing eyes and white 
teeth, and ripples of merriment enlivened 
every mouthful of the savory dishes that 
Dufranne’s dignified Francois, aided by 
the radiant Henry, served continuously. 

Patricia felt sorry for Elinor and Bruce 
that they should be marooned among the 
elder and more serious members of the party, 
but, as David pointed out to her in an 
answering whisper, they seemed uncom- 
monly satisfied where they were and not 
at all in need of sympathy. 

“We’re going to see the decoration — the 
one Elinor made for the church, you know,” 
said Patricia to Miriam as they left the fes- 
tive, disheveled sitting-room to the rejuve- 
nating hands of Hannah Ann and Henry, 
and went with the chatting crowd into the 
big studio again. “Bruce wouldn’t have the 
luncheon in here because we couldn’t get 
a good view of it if the place was cluttered 
up with tables and things. He’s fearfully 
proud of it. He says it’s as good as lots 
of regular artists could do.” 

“She hasn’t been studying long, has she?” 
asked Miriam, with her eyes intent on the 


312 


Miss Pat at School 


long blue curtain that screened the decora- 
tion from sight. 

^'Just last summer with Miss Auborn 
and Bruce, and then three months at the 
Academy and with Bruce again, replied 
Patricia proudly. Bruce wouldn’t let 
her stay at the Academy all the time. He 
thinks it’s best to work like the old masters 
used to, in the studio of some artist, doing 
things right away. He didn’t want Elinor’s 
originality to get barnacles, he said.” 

Bruce stepped to the space that had 
been with diSiculty kept at the west side 
of the studio, and stood before them with 
his hand raised. 

^^We asked you today to help us break 
up housekeeping,” he said with his winning 
smile; ^^but I must confess that I for one 
have deceived you. I planned to get you 
all here for a totally different purpose, and I 
trust you will approve of my craftiness when 
you have seen what I have to show you.” 

'^Sure we will,” interposed Tom Hughes 
in an unexpectedly audible stage whisper, 
which greatly confused him, but delighted 
Patricia and David. 


Farewell to the Studio 


313 


^^You all know/^ Bruce went on, “that 
I have been trying an experiment of my 
favorite theory of art education, but very 
few of you know how it has progressed. And 
it is to show you the result that I have lured 
you here today — ^to crow over some of you, 
in fact. The canvas I am going to show 
you was designed, executed as far as it has 
gone, entirely by Miss Elinor Kendall, a 
student of hardly more than nine months^ 
study. The subject is the ^ Nativity^ and 
it is designed for a chancel in a small 
church.” 

As the curtain was drawn from the long 
canvas Patricia’s eyes were on the faces of 
those in whose impressions she was most 
interested, and they gave her great satis- 
faction. Mrs. Bingham’s eyes were wide 
and startled as those of the small hen who 
discovers that her ungainly child is really 
a white swan. 

“She won’t be patronizing Elinor after 
this,” thought Patricia with a chuckle. 
“And Mr. Grantly has to swallow himself, 
too. He’ll hate to have to eat humble pie 
to Bruce after all his din against Bruce’s 


314 


Miss Pat at School 


way of thinking. But they all like it, Mr. 
Bindley and the Halls and Mr. Spicer, too. 
Dear old Norn, how proud I am of you!’’ 

Judith nudged her sharply. ^^Miss 
Jinny’s got her hand unwrapped and it’s 
a ring! she hissed. 

But Patricia was too much absorbed to 
heed. 

^^Hush!” she cautioned, slipping an 
absent hand into Judith’s quivering palm. 

Bruce is talking. Oh, isn’t he dear, to 
say nice things of each of us. It’s like com- 
mencement time, Ju, isn’t it? All the good 
little girls get prizes, but I wish he wouldn’t 
go back to that honorable mention of mine. 
I feel like an impostor.” 

Well, you needn’t,” expostulated Judith 
sagely. '^You got it, didn’t you?” 

— ^yes,” responded Patricia dubiously. 
^^But I’ll never be an artist. I sort of felt 
that long ago, but now I’m dead certain of 
it, and it seems like a sham to haul out that 
effort in the face of Elinor’s splendid work.” 

“I don’t feel that way at all — ” began 
Judith, but their murmured comments 
halted at Bruce’s next words. 


Farewell to the Studio 


315 


‘^And I am glad to tell you that the 
youngest of our promising students has also 
made good in her own department,” he said, 
with a smile at the comer where Judith 
reared her head with sudden pride. 

^^Miss Judith Kent Kendall has just had 
her first story accepted and printed in 
The GirVs Companion,^ ^ 

Patricia gasped, and in the moment^s 
silence that fell she gave the promising 
authoress a little shake. 

'^So that was what you were up to?” 
she said. knew you had something on 
your mind, Judy Kendall, you crafty, 
clever thing. How perfectly glorious to 
think you’re really in print!” 

Judith pulled out of her embrace. 

Don’t make a show of me. Miss Pat,” 
she commanded reproachfully. ^Ht isn’t 
correct to show that you are so delighted.” 

She turned to receive the congratulations 
that crowded on her, and Patricia, with a 
gay little ripple of amusement, watched the 
slender childish figure straighten to its 
utmost height and assume an air of grave 
affability as Judith responded to her ovation. 


316 


Miss Pat at School 


^^That kid is a bom actress/^ said David 
in her ear. ^^Look at her, Miss Pat. Isn’t 
she the picture of an eminent authoress at 
a club reception?” 

Patricia smiled and opened her lips, but 
the words died away, as Bruce, now with a 
gayety that bespoke a different sort of 
announcement, mounted the model stand 
in the middle of the room, and rapped 
loudly for attention. Miss Jinny had vainly 
tried to grab his sleeve as he shpped past her 
and now stood with an expression of grim 
martyrdom glaring at Mr. Spicer, who was 
smiling at her openly and, Patricia thought, 
heartlessly. 

have a postscript to add,” smiled 
Bmce. Sometimes, as you know, the 
postscript is of great importance.” 

He paused a moment till the silence was 
perfect and then he said, with a pretense of 
reading a notice from a sheet of paper: 

^^Mrs. Virginia P. Shelly announces the 
engagement of her daughter Virginia E. 
to Mr. Nathaniel Spicer, late of the Geolog- 
ical Survey ” 

He got no further. Miss Jinny, who had 


Farewell to the Studio 


317 


won first place in the interest of the art 
community as Sinbad and kept it by her 
own wholesome goodness, was surrounded 
and overwhelmed. Patricia was the first to 
seize her unwilling hand. 

‘^Now I shall see how an engaged couple 
behaves!^’ she cried triumphantly. ^^You 
shan^t escape me, mind you, for I’m your 
very nearest friend, and I’ll be your brides- 
maid if you’ll let me.” 

Miss Jinny came to herself with a chuckle. 
^^My gracious, Patricia Kendall, what are 
you thinking of!” she exclaimed in growing 
amazement. ^^Are you mad enough to 
imagine I’m going to behave like a lunatic, 
just because I’m taking a new name to 
myself? Do behave or I’ll never speak to 
you again!” 

That’s the way to squelch her,” laughed 
Griffin, who was pumping the beaming 
Mr. Spicer’s hand like mad. She’d be a 
regular nuisance if you encouraged her. 
I’ll warn Bottle Green ” 

^^What, you don’t mean to say — ” inter- 
rupted Margaret Howes. heard that 
Jeffries took her to the vaudeville show and 


318 


Miss Pat at School 


I thought that was a tremendous change of 
heart for nice old Greenie/' 

^^Yep, she^s engaged to JefiFries,” an- 
nounced GriflSn with great enjo3anent. 
^^Has Elinor heard? Let’s go break the 
news.” 

Patricia preceded them to the corner 
where Elinor, rather pale and agitated, was 
holding back as Bruce tried to lead her to 
the model stand. Patricia thought that 
Bruce’s insistence had something to do with 
the decoration, which was half forgotten 
by most of the company, and she laid a 
detaining hand on Elinor’s other arm. 

“What do you want to make a show of 
her for, Bruce?” she remonstrated feel- 
ingly. “You can say all you have to say 
right here, can’t you?” 

Then her breath caught in her throat and 
her heart gave a sudden flopy for, as Elinor 
raised her left hand there was a flash and 
glitter of gems — a new splendid circle of 
diamonds scintillated on Elinor’s third finger. 

“Oh, Norn,” she gasped, dropping her 
hand and searching Elinor’s flushing face 
with questioning eyes. “You too?” 


Farewell to the Studio 


319 


Elinor nodded mutely and clasped Patri- 
cians two hands in her own. Bruce took 
Patricians other hand in his strong, warm 
grasp and the three stood for a silent second 
as much apart from the gay, noisy scene as 
though a curtain had dropped between 
them. 

^^jnm awfully glad,nn said Patricia, recov- 
ering herself first and beginning to realize 
the joyfulness of the astounding news. 
'^Let me tell them, will you?nn 

It was not until all the guests had gone, 
and David and his friends had taken their 
reluctant leave with fervid promises of 
speedy reunion at Greycroft, and the pack- 
ers had disappeared with the big canvas 
and the cartoons, and Hannah Ann and 
Henry had reduced everything to a state 
of perfection that even the most critical 
S3mions in the world could not cavil at, and 
Bruce had said his last farewells and was on 
the blue rug at the studio door with his 
hand on the knob to usher them out, that 
Patricia found utterance for her seething 
thoughts. 

may be a believer in votes for women, 


320 


Miss Pat at School 


she said solemnly, clasping her vanity case 
so hard that she unconsciously shattered 
its clasp. may be a yellow suffragist, 
as Judy calls me, but I must say, men can 
make things mighty comfortable for 
you.” 

There was a shout of amazed laughter, 
but Patricia persisted: 

^^Look at us last fall before we discovered 
David; look at us now; look at Miss Jinny; 
look at Elinor^s canvas — which she could’nt 
have dreamed of doing if Miss Auborn had 
been chaperoning her! I tell you, men 
have ways of doing things that hit the spot, 
and I think it^s a shame they don^t get the 
credit for it.” 

Bruce cocked his head mischievously at 
her. 

^'Are you going to promulgate that 
doctrine at the Suffrage League?” he 
asked, beginning to turn the knob. 

“Yes, I am — if I ever go there,” returned 
Patricia with great spirit. “But I shanT 
have time for a long while. I’m going to 
raise chickens with Miriam Halden this 
summer, and I’ve got to start in right 


Farewell to the Studio 


321 


away with the plans for the houses and 
yards/' 

Bruce flung the door wide. 

“Well, we're turning another page of 
our lives," he said with a backward glance 
at the rooms where they had been so busy 
and so happy. “Who can say what will 
be written there?" 

Judith shrugged uneasily. 

“That gives me the creeps," she remon- 
strated. “I don't like it. It sounds like 
funerals and ghosts " 

Patricia broke in on her dismal fore- 
bodings with a rippling, silvery laugh. 

“It sounds like wedding bells to me!" 
she cried, gayly. “You and I don't hear 
alike, Ju. It sounds like wedding beUs, 
and commencement essays, and checks for 
stories, and — and — and " 

“What, else?" demanded Judith, whose 
color had been rising at the alluring forecast. 

Patricia made a despairing little gesture. 

“I can't think of anything that will fit 
poor me," she confessed with mock dejec- 
tion. “I'm so everlastingly commonplace 
that I don't sound at all." 


21 


322 


Miss Pat at School 


^^Yes, you do, too!^^ cried Judith ar- 
dently, flinging out a masterpiece. ^^You 
sound like a syncopated opera; doesn^t she, 
Bruce?” 

Patricia started as the grotesque words 
sank deep. 

“You just wait till I try my real wings,” 
she said with a queer little catch in her 
throat. “IVe forgotten all about my dear 
music in these three riotous months, but 
Til soon be ready to begin again.” 

“Is your laurel wreath on good and tight, 
Judy?” asked Bruce with a twinkle. “I^m 
going to beg Elinor to have hers tied on 
with nice little blue ribbons. Miss Pat is 
on the rampage for fame, and it isn^t safe 
to take chances.” 

Patricia underwent a swift change as she 
lifted her shining eyes to Bruce^s laughing 
face. 

“Pooh, I^m not a bit dangerous and you 
know it, Bruce Hay don,” she said with 
returning gayety. “I^m the family grub, 
and Judy and Elinor are the splendid 
butterflies.” She paused with a merry 
gurgle. “Pm going to raise chickens for 


Farewell to the Studio 


323 


these two glittering geniuses. Greycroft 
shall be my field of conquest and the white 
plume that leads to victory will be an Or- 
pington. Lead on!^^ 

The door clicked behind them and they 
set their faces to the sunset, and Greycroft, 
and home. 














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